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.

Any PAT member who wants to engage school employees in creating healthier school environments that support the physical, social, emotional health and well-being of staff and students should consider attending the Oregon School Employee Wellness Conference being held at the The Riverhouse & Convention Center in Bend, Oregon.

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PAT Salaries Drop in Metro 14

The District has presented data in bargaining that may show that PPS staffing ratios may be lower than many metro area districts. That is directly related to PAT’s Schools Portland Students Deserve campaign that focused on reducing workload and creating more reasonable learning conditions for students. There is much work yet to be done in this area. However, our focus on reducing workload and improving students’ learning conditions has apparently come at a cost to you. PAT members’ starting and top salaries have both fallen in comparison to other Metro 14 locals. PAT starting salaries are dead last in this group! Below are PERS-adjusted salaries for 2016-17 based on the 190-day PPS calendar for beginning and top salaries*: 

The Advocate - March 8, 2017

• The Leadership We Need for PPS
• Building Utilization and the Upcoming Bond
• School Board Votes Yes on Contract Changes
• 2017 PAT Members Scholarships
• Early Notice of Retirement/Resignation Stipend Deadline is March 15^th
• Deadline for Requests for Full-Year Unpaid Leave is April 15^th
• Read Across America 2017 Grant Winners
• OEA Symposium: Culturally Responsive Teaching, March 18^th
• Calling All Troublemakers! Labor Notes Troublemakers School April 8^th
• 6th Annual Oregon School Employee Wellness Conference: March 26^th-28^th

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In the next few months, PPS will have a new superintendent and could have as many as three new school board members. Given these big changes in our District, it’s an important time for us to reflect on our values and work to ensure our future leaders are prepared to deliver the schools Portland students deserve. We also have to make sure they are ready to lead the fight for great public schools for all Oregonians. 

The School Board voted to refer a $790 million bond to voters in May. The bond would continue PPS’ Long Range Facilities Plan, and includes money to rebuild Madison, Benson, and Lincoln High Schools, and Kellogg Middle School, as well as $150 million to address health and safety issues across the District.

On Tuesday March 7^th the school board voted to approve both our snow day agreement and the mini-package of tentative agreements. There are several key issues that we continue to work on in Interest-Based Bargaining. However, these changes do have some immediate benefits for PAT members including: increasing hours in the sick leave bank; compensation for classroom moves; improved benefits for temporary educators; improved member protections; and new mother-friendly workplace language. Bargaining continues with the District and we are still hoping to wrap up negotiations in April.

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

Our contract includes a stipend if members give early notice of retirement or resignation.  If members give early written notice of retirement/resignation prior to March 15^th, the professional educator will receive $700 in the final paycheck. See Article 15, Section B1 on page 45 for more information. 

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.

Each year the National Education Association, the Oregon Education Association, and the Portland Association of Teachers sponsor Read Across America, an event designed to encourage reading and community involvement in our schools.

Please join us on Saturday, March 18 for the 7^th Annual OEA Symposium, Students in the Lead: Culturally Responsive Teaching. This year, we welcome educator and author Zaretta Hammond for a day of provocative dialogue, discussion, and learning.

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 am to 4 pm at the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 290 Training Center, 20210 SW Teton Ave in Tualatin, OR.

Any PAT member who wants to engage school employees in creating healthier school environments that support the physical, social, emotional health and well-being of staff and students should consider attending the Oregon School Employee Wellness Conference being held at the The Riverhouse & Convention Center in Bend, Oregon.

The Advocate - February 22, 2017

• Not On Our Backs
• Educators and Renters Rally for Affordable Housing, February 25^th
• Children, Nature, and Schools Symposium: March 13^th
• School Safety and Behavior Intervention Survey
• 2017 Members' Scholarships
• Teaching Climate Change and the Environmental Crisis
• Student Loan Debt Forgiveness Seminar
• Retirement Planning Seminar

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With the failure of Measure 97, we must be vigilant in making sure that our state’s budget crisis isn’t solved on our backs. I’m horrified that our elected leaders are looking at changes to our PERS retirement system as their “funding solution”. 

When investors bought the Normandy Apartments in December, their first act was to double the rent. Now 18 families and over 30 kids in the Normandy Apartments, located close to Rigler Elementary, are now in danger of losing their homes. Similar situations are unfolding all over Portland, with hundreds of families being displaced by rising rents and “no cause” evictions.

What is the best way of connecting our students with nature? How do we promote hands-on learning and self-directed play in our schools? How do we ensure our school grounds and parks are vibrant landscapes for play and learning? Join parents, educators, and community members for a day-long symposium on these and other topics related to children, nature, and schools. 

The Oregon Education Association Special Education Task Force is interested in hearing your experiences regarding school safety and behavior interventions and supports. The task force is gathering information statewide to help determine the best way OEA can support our members' practice and formulate policies that set up students and educators for success. Please take the short online survey, and thanks in advance for sharing your experiences and stories.

Feel free to share the survey link with others, and please complete this survey by February 25th.

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.