The Advocate
September 2015
Thanks for reading the one page inaugural edition of The Advocate. This is our “in-house” newsletter for WFEA members. It will come to you on e-mail, but you’ll soon be able to access the content on our West Fargo Education Association Facebook page, our Twitter account, and our website. So, keep up in whatever way is easiest for you.
Instructional Conference 2015 – Two Cities in Two Days
This year the NDU Instructional Conference is closer to home because the conference is being offered at two sites – West Fargo (Liberty Middle School) and Mandan. You can attend as many or as few sessions as you like. The cost for you as a member is FREE, and continental breakfast and lunch is included. More information and registration can be found at www.ndunited.org.ic . To look at the session choices, click on 2015 IC East.
Changing the Future for the Better at the NEA Rep Assembly
This summer, the West Fargo Education Association played a role in something that we hope will help our members in the future. As you probably know, Aaron Knodel, a teacher in our district, was accused, tried and exonerated of charges stemming from accusations from a former student. After he was acquitted, he was able to apply for $35,000 from the Educators’ Employment Liability Program to help pay some of his legal bills. That amount will help, but the executive board of WFEA felt that $35,000 was not enough. In July, Nick Archuleta, our state president, introduced a resolution which will explore increasing the reimbursement for attorney fees for the defense of criminal proceedings from $35,000 to $300,000. It passed at the national assembly because of WFEA’s work. If you’d like to see the introduction of the resolution and the vote, contact Lisa Dullum and she will forward you the link.
Questions? Who to ask in WFEA
From time to time, you might have questions about WFEA. This year our executive board will be functioning with portfolios; all of us will be in charge of certain aspects of our organization. Here are the people you can contact if you wonder about this or that:
Your building rep – If you don’t know who your rep is, contact Lisa Dullum
Money/dues questions – Deb Beeler, treasurer
Teacher rights questions – Mark Berntson or Tammy Shaw
Issues in Education class – Christopher Strand
Advisory Communications committee – Lisa Dullum
Advocate/social media questions – Jolene Beckman
School board happenings – Stacy Adamson, vice president
That’s it for now. Thanks for all you do!