Last week was big for educators in Snoqualmie Valley. We approved revisions to our SVEA Constitution & Bylaws, it was the last week of the statewide mask mandate, and the Washington State Legislature wrapped up the 2022 session. Each of these will impact our work as we finish out the school year and think toward the future.
Your health and safety, that of our families, students and community is of utmost importance, so please, do take good care. -Nate
Zoom Member Meetings
Please join us this afternoon for one of our member Zoom meetings for an update and to ask questions (using the chat feature). Our elementary, secondary, and student services leads will be present to answer questions and gather input. We hope you'll join us if you're available.
The bargaining team met in January 2019 to review group norms and the interest based bargaining process.
On Tuesday, August 28, the members of SVEA ratified our tentative agreement with 97.76% voting YES. Approval by the SVSD school board is still required and is expected at their September 13 meeting. The starting salary for a first year teacher with a bachelor’s degree will be $54,475. The salary schedule tops out at $107,006. Happy first day of school!
Please join the bargaining team for a celebratory happy hour at No Boat Brewing from 3-6PM on our first payday of the year, September 28. Attend your September building meeting for a chance to win a complimentary first beverage.
Note: It is expected that the raises associated with our new salary schedule will be reflected in our September 28 paychecks. If this is not possible due to time constraints or other issues, increases would be retroactive. SVEA will communicate this to you as soon as possible.
As of Wednesday evening, August 22, a conceptual agreement between the Snoqualmie Valley Education Association (SVEA) and the Snoqualmie Valley School District (SVSD) has been reached around new compensation parameters. The bargaining team will share some information at the general membership meeting on Thursday; however, specific details still need to be worked out. It is important that we have additional time to finalize the salary schedule and contract language before bringing forward a tentative agreement. The bargaining team thanks all members for their patience and support during this process. We look forward to seeing all of you at the general membership meeting tomorrow, 8/23 at 11AM. There will be an additional general membership meeting Tuesday, 8/28 at 4:30PM to vote on a tentative agreement.
No need to wear red tomorrow or rally at the school board meeting.
Dear Fellow SVEA members,
In the Spring of 2019, SVEA will have an election for Vice President and Treasurer. Be thinking ahead, if you want to get involved.
Lisa J Radmer
SVEA President
SVEA is a member-driven, democratically governed organization. The Executive Board consists of the President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary who are elected for two year terms. An election for the officers of President and Secretary will be held March of the even numbered years and the election for the offices of Vice-President and Treasurer will be held March of odd numbered years. This year, we are choosing our union’s President and Secretary.
Ballots will be distributed on Tuesday, March 20 and must be returned to your building representative by Thursday, March 22 at 4PM. If you have not received a ballot by Wednesday, March 21, please contact your building representative.
President: "The president shall: preside at all official meetings and shall perform such duties as are customarily associated with the office, appoint and/or discharge all committee members with the approval of the Executive Board (and/or Representative Council) and serve as an ex-officio member of all committees or designate someone to do so, charge committees with their duties, and represent the Association at meetings with school district management."
Candidate: Nate Ziemkowski
"This is my 11th year teaching second grade at Snoqualmie Elementary. I first became involved in SVEA as a building representative about 7 years ago. After seeing how our union was able to make improvements for members and students during our 2013 negotiations, I decided to get more involved. I’ve been our secretary since 2014, served on our bargaining team, represented SVEA members as a delegate to WEA Representative Assembly, and sat on the statewide WEA-PAC board. I’m proud of the gains we’ve made during this time, but we still have much work to do in terms of compensation, benefits, class size/caseloads, student supports, and giving educators a say in the direction of our schools. I'd appreciate the opportunity to serve as your SVEA president."
Secretary: "The secretary shall: handle all correspondence for the Association, notify the appropriate members as to the time and place of the Executive Board, Representative Council and membership meetings within the time limits set forth in the Constitution and Bylaws, keep accurate minutes of all Executive Board, Representative Council and membership meetings, distribute copies of Executive Board minutes to Executive Board members following meetings, distribute minutes of general membership meetings to all members within thirty (30) days following meetings and distribute minutes of the Representative Council meetings to Representative Council members within the thirty (30) days following meetings, maintain the records, files and membership records of the Association, and distribute copies of all proposed amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws."
Candidate: Jen Gose
"This is my fourth year teaching at Cascade View. I am currently teaching 4th grade. This is my second year as a building rep for CVES. I believe that we are better educators when we support each other, not only in our classroom practices, but also in our professional futures. I want to be part of the movement to preserve teaching as a noble profession, where educators can provide security for their own families. I would be honored to serve as your SVEA secretary.”
