WWEA Newsletter

Dear Members:

Today many members will be getting information on transfers and some of our members will be getting laid off due to budget reductions. This is a critical time to support each other. Keep communicating your needs with administrators as we transition into getting ready for next year.

1. For members who are laid off or partially laid off, we will continue to support you with information. Anyone laid off has 27 months on the Recall List starting in August and going through October 2028. WWEA is here to support you in a tough time, so reach out to your building rep or myself for anything.

2. With Primary Transfers, many people got a transfer in their top three requests, but this was not possible in some situations, particularly for schools not losing students or where there were many people requesting one school. Unlike last year where we had a large number of classroom teachers on a Recall List who were placed in openings as they occurred, this year anyone who requested a transfer before February 1st and did not get it will have the opportunity to use the Transfer process for any upcoming opening before July 15. Please keep an eye on openings and be aware of Article 13.A.2 about the transfer process: “In either case, if the educator is licensed for the position sought, the individual will be given an interview. Once a decision has been made on filling the position, all interviewed educators shall be notified of the decision prior to any general, public announcement. Any educator denied an educator-initiated transfer will be personally notified and will be given the reason(s) for denial in writing referencing the criteria listed in Paragraph D.”

Being on the transfer list does not guarantee you an open position, but be sure that you

get an interview and the proper follow up occurs. Ideally, if you have not heard from a principal with an opening, reaching out to me ahead of time helps make sure your rights are respected in the process.

3. At both primary and secondary, you are still able to apply for any opening that occurs between now and the beginning of next school year even if you are not on the transfer list. You would need to fill out an application, but your service to the District is clearly a strong consideration in that process.

4. I want to remind people that on Wednesday, May 20th at 4:30 we have meeting open to all members on Zoom to welcome new officers and discuss last year and take a look forward to next year. Please join us with this link.

Finally, just a reminder that our overall budget situation is a product of our state government funding. I encourage you to vote thoughtfully in the upcoming Primary elections. Ballots are due on Tuesday, May 19th.

Sincerely,

Matt Bell

Members, we encourage you to be involved with WWEA. There are many member opportunities with WWEA, including elected positions, appointed positions, the negotiations team, committees and workgroups, all member meetings, volunteer events, and more! To learn more, contact your building rep, Stacia Wilson or Matt Bell.

Currently unfilled position: WWEA Political Action Chair. This is an appointed position. Please contact Matt Bell if you have questions or are interested in taking on this position!

If you are interested in running for an elected position, fill out the nominations form by May 6th.

(Current reps, please let Stacia Wilson know if you are not planning to run for your position next year.) Stacia will confirm with those nominated before the election.

The election for most WWEA positions for the 2026-2027 school year will be open from May 11th-May 15th. Don't forget to VOTE! (Please note the building rep election for Frog Pond will take place in the fall.)

Did you know?

None of your union dues go to political candidates! Only PAC donations are directed to candidates who support public education.

All WWEA members, please take this 1 minute survey (literally) about you and the PAC. It's very short, I promise! Thank you very much for your help.

For members looking for information on local candidates and issues, or more ways to support public education, please click here outside of contract hours. Anyone interested in learning more about the PAC, please reach out to me.

If you would like to take over as WWEA's Political Action Chair, feel free to email me with questions, or contact Matt Bell!

--Alexis Harmon

WWEA Political Action Chair

As SNAP benefits are cut and needs in our community grow, WWEA is proud to support Clackamas Community College's Free Food Pantry. We encourage all WWEA members who can to donate at least $1 to help feed those in need. WWEA will match donations up to $500! Click here to donate and make a difference. Please add WWEA in the comments when donating, and THANK YOU!

Contact Equity and Community Outreach Chair, Carly Voigt, for more information.

Upcoming Changes to PSLF

With the passing of HR 1 (“One Big Beautiful Bill”), several changes are on the horizon for Federal

student loans and loan forgiveness opportunities. Below is a preview of changes impacting PSLF:

1. Public Service Loan Forgiveness is still a thing! Although there may be some nonprofits that no

longer qualify under new rules, employers like public school districts appear not to be impacted.

2. The SAVE income-driven repayment plan (IDR) will be phased out July 2026. If you have not

switched off SAVE yet, do this now! Visit the Federal Student Aid's Loan Simulator to figure out

which IDR is best for you. Then immediately apply for that IDR at StudentAid.gov/IDR.

3. A new IDR plan is slated to begin July 2026 – the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP). To learn

more about this repayment plan and its differences from the SAVE plan, please refer to this article.

The TL:DR version: monthly payments on RAP or any of the existing IDR plans (IBR, ICR, and PAYE),

will most likely be more than they were on the SAVE program.

4. If you are currently on ICR or PAYE, those are slated to sunset in TWO more years - by July 2028.

No need to change now, since they may be resulting in lower monthly payments. But in a couple of

years, the available IDRs will be reduced to IBR and RAP.

How Do I Ensure I’m On Track for PSLF?

1. Make sure you’re on an Income-Driven Repayment plan other than SAVE by visiting the Federal

Student Aid's Loan Simulator, and then apply for that IDR at StudentAid.gov/IDR.

2. Keep certifying your employment with the school district (even the time you were in forbearance).

You’ll be able to do that online using the PSLF Help Tool. Two things you’ll need:

• The school district’s EIN number (found on your W-2). Type it without spaces or dashes.

• Once you’ve entered your info, you’ll be prompted to email this info to the HR department.

Questions? Need Support? Reach out to your NEA Retirement Specialists!

• Email Stef Agar @ stef@voyagerwm.com

• Call our office at 503.344.6568 to schedule a phone call

• Website: voyagerwm.com

Article 9 outlines the contract year and the different types of days we have and what they are used for. Of particular note are the Staff Development Days and Workdays. Please note that for primary, the days assigned to conferences are not as they appear in the contract, due to the MOU that was passed stating we would not have spring conferences.

Grading days may be taken at home, but Workdays and Staff Development days must take place at your building(s).

ARTICLE 9

WORK YEAR/SCHOOL CLOSURE

3. Staff Development Days - No less than three staff development days as follows:

At primary level no fewer than eight (8) days as follows:

One (1) full day district directed (November)

One (1) full day educator-directed (first day after winter break)

One (1) full day district directed

Five (5) full days educator-directed

At secondary level no fewer than five (5) days as follows:

One (1) full day district directed (November)

One (1) full day educator-directed (first day after winter break)

Three (3) days, half district-directed and half educator-directed

C. Workdays

1. Three (3) workdays, for all educators prior to the opening of school in the fall,

including the equivalent of one and one-half (1 1⁄2) days free of any required meetings

plus:

2. Four (4) workdays at the high school level with one (1) day at the end of each

grading period to be used primarily for planning and grade preparation; or

3. Six (6) workdays at the Middle School level with one (1) day at the end of each

grading period to be used primarily for planning and grade preparation and two (2)

days to prepare for and conduct parent conferences; or

4. Seven (7) workdays at the primary level with one (1) day prior to each of two report

card periods (November and June) to be used primarily for planning and grade

preparations, two (2) days to prepare for and conduct each of two parent

conferences (fall and spring) and one (1) day to close out the school year.

--Laura Ward

WWEA Grievance Chair

• 5/6: WWEA election nominations due
• 5/11-5/15: WWEA elections for 2026-2027 positions
• 5/19: Oregon Primary Election ballots due
• 5/20: WWEA all-member meeting at 4:30 pm on Zoom
• 5/28: Annual WWEA-sponsored retirement celebration at Willamette Ale and Cider House