Dear Members,

For those who were unable to attend yesterday’s all-member meeting, here are the important details:

1. Three Executive Board positions were unanimously voted in, as the nominees were running unopposed. Kathy Butler (President, incumbent), Michele Wickman (Secretary), and Cassity Stroud (Parliamentarian/Bylaws).
2. Exciting news about Collective Bargaining! SEA is partnering with the local firefighter’s association (Stafford Professional Firefighters Local 4012) in our campaign for contra...

Last night, the Board of Supervisors held several public budget hearings, including the tax rate, the budget, and the Capital Improvement Plan (buildings, maintenance, repairs, etc.). The good news is that the BoS is committed to funding Dr. Taylor’s proposed salary increases. However, the BoS is not committed to fully funding the School Board’s budget request (see 1:51:34 in the video of their meeting) Dr. Taylor’s request for additional funds consisted of raises for licensed and non-license...

February 1st – SEA MEMBER ONLY meeting with Dr. Taylor to get an overview of the budget. If you have questions or clarification about the budget, Robin is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Please see your e-mail for the link.

We will take a membership vote after the presentation on whether to support his budget.

February 2nd – SEA Collective Bargaining Training – How to talk to members/nonmembers about collective bargaining and the process moving forward? Nonmembers are welcome to this ...

Dear School Board Members, Dr. Taylor, and SEA Members,

On Tuesday, January 11th, SEA distributed a survey to all SCPS employees. We asked for position, building level, and two simple questions:

1. Do you support the current policy requiring masks for everyone in SCPS schools?
2. Do you support the current policy requiring masks for everyone in SCPS non-school buildings?

We also gave staff the option to provide additional comments. Over 1700 employees responded to this survey, preceded in precedent onl...

Richmond Education Association made history last Monday when the school board voted for collective bargaining 8-1.  I watched as educators hugged each other realizing they would have a say in their contract.  It’s time we bring the movement to Stafford. You had signed up for information on collective bargaining previously, so I wanted to reach out to you.  Are you ready to commit to bringing collective bargaining to Stafford?  It won’t be easy, and we need people dedicated to the movement.  I...

The SEA wanted to give you an update of things that have been going on behind the scenes.

The Executive Board met with Dr. Jones, Patrick Byrnett, Chris Fulmer, and Lisa Boatwright on 11/29/2021.

At this meeting, we brought three major concerns to the table.

1. The employee code of conduct- SEA asked that it be repealed until the educator’s bill of rights is adopted with the code of conduct. Patrick Byrnett will be taking the bill of rights to the SCPS governance committee.
2. Concurrent teaching- SEA...

We will have an ALL MEMBER MEETING on Wednesday, September 1st. It will be from 5:30 – 6:30, and it will be virtual.

AGENDA

• Covid leave
• Action network emails
• Bylaws and elections
• Building reps
• Membership Liaisons
• Concurrent Compensation Mode
• Questions

Have a question to submit? Please check your e-mail for the question link as well as the Zoom link for the meeting.

SEA has been working on many items behind the scenes. A COVID leave policy was brought before Dr. Kizner and Patrick Byrnett. We anticipate it becoming policy for this year soon.

The EXEC board is aware that staff are being required to concurrent teach. Robin Gardner has spoken with VEA and is currently trying to get more clarification. 

The SEA hosted a Town Hall with Dr. Kizner and the heads of HR and finance for SCPS on 5-13-21. Questions were submitted in advance via the SEA and were answered in this forum. Here is the video in case you missed it.

SEA advocated for Stafford educators at the BOS meeting on 4-20-21. The BOS passed a budget that will fully fund the School Board’s budget request for the next fiscal year!

SEA calls for PACE and Member Organizers as well as a call for members to prepare for collective bargaining. Click here for more information.

SEA launches e-mail campaign to SCPS School Board to recommend a Soft Pause. Write your letter here! #SCPSsoftpause

Within our profession, there may be no role more vital, yet uncelebrated, than an Education Support Professional (ESP). In their myriad functions to support our schools, our students, and our communities throughout this crisis, we have seen how much we depend on their adaptability and selflessness. What sets the #SEAofRED apart from other locals is our belief that we truly are a family, where everyone has a voice and an opportunity to lead, including our ESPs....

During the MWHC Town Hall on 12-29-2020 multiple SEA members pushed for a direct answer from MWHC regarding the safety of reopening schools. Thanks to their efforts educators received a straight answer from the MWHC CEO.

SEA is proud to maintain a positive working relationship with SCPS leadership. To this end, we are pleased to announce Middle School and High School Town Halls with Dr. Kizner to address questions and concerns about the return-to-school plan. Please see this for more information.

Due to concerns regarding COVID, SEA is spearheading a campaign to have SCPS allow teachers the choice to engage in PD from either home or school this year. Please see this for more information.

SEA pledges to encourage the BOS to support SCPS’s call for CARES funds to go to education. More info here.

Our rally made the paper!