Our Members
Board Meeting Scheduled for April
The next board of education meeting is Tuesday, April 20 at 6:30. REA strongly encourages you to watch or attend. The board meeting information can be accessed here https://www.reyn.org/Members.aspx . Look through and read the policies and plan to attend/watch the board meeting.
The Latest from OEA Legislative Watch
HB 409 – Ohio Senate Passes More Covid-19 School Flexibility Measures
The Ohio Senate passed more Covid-19 school flexibility measures supported by OEA this week (12.17.20). The Ohio House still needs to concur with Senate changes to House Bill 409.
HB 409 would do the following:
- Suspends report card letter grades for the 2020-21 school year.
- Establishes a safe harbor from penalties and sanctions for school districts and schools based on the state report card data for the 2020-2021 school year.
- Exempts for the 2020-2021 school year schools from retaining a student under the Third Grade Reading Guarantee based solely on the student’s academic performance in reading, unless the student’s principal and reading teacher determine the student is not reading at grade level and is not prepared for fourth grade.
For a summary and status of recent legislation with Covid-19 flexibility provisions, click HERE.
HB 409 – Reduces Resident Educator License to 2 years and Eliminates Certain Licenses
Before passing HB 442 this week (12.17.20), the Ohio Senate Transportation, Commerce, and Workforce Committee added language that would do the following:
- Eliminates the requirement that individuals hold a substitute license from the state board of education.
- No longer require a separate pupil services license from the state board of education for certain individuals already licensed by another professional board (i.e. school speech language pathologists, audiologists, school nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and social workers).
- Requires the State Board of Education to determine a method to condense the four-year Teacher Residency program into a two-year program, including a timeframe by which individuals already enrolled in the program will complete the program.
For a summary of HB 442, click HERE.
Be Informed by Engaging With the Board of Education
The next board of education meeting is Tuesday, Dec 15 at 6:30. REA strongly encourages you to watch or attend. The board meeting information can be accessed here https://www.reyn.org/Members.aspx . Look through and read the policies and plan to attend/watch the board meeting.
OEA’s Position Statement on Putting Education First in Regard to Containing the COVID-19 Pandemic
OEA’s Position Statement on Putting Education First in Regard to Containing the COVID-19 Pandemic that was unanimously adopted by the OEA Board of Directors on December 3, 2020.
2020 OEA Fall Representative Assembly Summary
The work of delegates to the Virtual 2020 OEA Fall Representative Assembly held December 5 focused on legislative and political issues with a direct effect on public education and students in Ohio. The 750 registered delegates at the assembly discussed the 2020 election, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, current legislative efforts, organizing and advocacy successes, and more.
Recap
President Scott DiMauro addressed COVID-19’s impact on the educational system in Ohio and how we as a union are fighting for the safety of our members and students.
Newly elected NEA President Becky Pringle addressed our delegation and thanked us for battling some of the systemic social problems our country continues to face.
Vice President Jeff Wensing discussed all the legislative undertakings in our state congress, why they are important, how they affect OEA, and how we as members can support the issues that are important to us.
Secretary-Treasurer Mark Hill enumerated on the financial and membership numbers for OEA.
Celebration
The OEA registered delegates had the opportunity to hear from our new Executive Director Patricia Collins Murdock; who expressed her admiration for all the hard work and commitment that the delegates have shown to their districts and students.
Another bittersweet moment was the tribute to outgoing Executive Director Sheryl Mathis. Ms. Mathis also addressed the delegation expressing her pride and gratitude in being part of our great union. She will certainly be missed, but has earned her retirement.
The OEA ADVOCACY & ORGANIZING INSTITUTE
To ensure the safety of members and staff, OEA has made the difficult decision to offer the 2021 OEA Advocacy and Organizing Institute virtually.
This year’s event will be held on Saturday, February 6, 2021 and will give OEA members the opportunity to attend two, 90-minute sessions of their choice. The event will begin at 9:00 a.m. with an opening address from OEA President Scott DiMauro and will conclude at 12:45 p.m.
Registration will open on January 5, 2021 and close on February 1, 2021. Sessions will be limited to 40 participants per offering. This event is being held at no cost to the participants.
If you would like to receive an email notice when registration opens, please go to aoi.ohea.org and provide us with your contact information.
Stay Safe! We hope to see you virtually on February 6, 2021 and in-person as soon as it is safe