President's Opening Day Speech:

 

SHEA Members - We never imagined standing here as your officers leading our membership into a new school year with an expired contract. 

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As we start the school year - it is with sincere disappointment that:

• May 23rd was 106 days ago.

• SHEA offered to meet over the summer, with no response from the district.

 

Let’s step back a bit though…

People ask all the time about union membership.  What does it mean to be a union member??  Take comfort in knowing that being part of a professional union is unique.  People everywhere are envious of our profession and our union.  Union membership is growing in nearly every industry.  Working together for fair wages, better healthcare, and safe and healthy working conditions are always our top priority.

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If you never found yourself to be an active union member… have no fear!  Membership in a union is the most positive thing you can do in your professional career as a teacher.  Together we work as elementary, middle and high school teachers.  Across buildings from Glendale to Heritage, to the Middle School; from Willow Ridge to Ready Academy to Maplemere and the high school!  We are all teachers.  We are all SHEA.  We are all fighting for the very best for our profession.  

 

Urban legends from the administrative circles try to place fear in our newest members.  Administrators try to hand you a contract and say here is what SH provides you.  NOT TRUE.

 

SHEA members fought for every single clause and every single dollar and every single benefit for over 50 years!  Nothing was given.  Nothing.  As one of your current PRC members - we know too well that we are not going to devalue our contract with insulting proposals.

 

Remember, this is true:

• SHEA did not walk from the table.

• SHEA did not end with proposals that were unfair to the district.

• SHEA values its members, our profession, and our work.  We will not cheapen our work because the district does not value us.

 

Since we last visited each building in the spring, it is confirmed:  we have SHEA endorsed BOE members who are straight up, anti-union.  The district office is intentionally misrepresenting our Association in more ways than one.  One SHEA endorsed BOE member even said, “ya, we love it when you bring grievances.”  As if to mock us and what they perceive to be our frivolous injuries.  They act like what we did for Sweet Home’s children during the pandemic was normal, because “everyone was doing it”.  It wasn’t.  We were heroes.  We had elementary schools open full time; created a K-12 remote academy, and had most secondary teachers teaching a 6th assignment while balancing in person learning and instructing remote classes all at the same time. But here we are today with a different narrative. It couldn't be more clear, they just  don't respect us. 

 

It should also be known that our current leadership has chosen to pad their OWN administrative salaries with zero “give backs”. They did not contribute more to health care, work more days etc…. Certain district administrators went even farther and gave themselves double digit raises in just a two year time period. Since Ginestre has been superintendent, the district has padded the administrative budget over 40%, taking hard earned taxpayer dollars and resources away from kids and from the personnel who work directly with them,  and diverted these resources directly into the hands of the administration. These are funds that we believe should be allocated to student support.

This is one example of how disconnected our leadership actually is from who we are and what our community stands for.   

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The district has hired more administrators, directors and staff that they have run out of room to house everyone.  The other two unions received 4% or more raises and they did not have to call in an “outside negotiator” to further divide our school community.  

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The district administration will continue to proselytize about performative not substantive change. They will continue to take credit for things they personally had nothing to do with: the new auditorium, the community center, unified sports, SHEF and the many initiatives they have provided to our students and families. 

 

It is infuriating.  This marks the start of an uphill battle.  In spite of all this, SHEA members all across our district will still change kids' lives.  We will be the consummate professionals - like we’ve always been.  

 

BUT… we do not have to be in the buildings before the work day begins.  We should not stay longer than when it ends.  Show your union brothers and sisters that you value them and we’re in this together by showing solidarity.

 

Mondays = SHEA Gear day!!

Open House events will be partnered with members across the district

BOE meetings will allow SHEA members to show the BOE our frustrations.

 

Today we have signs for you to hold.

We hope that you put them in your car windshield when you are not using it.

 

 

We don’t have to share any excitement for the district when we know they do not value us.  We do not have to clap or cheer.  Our silence will be deafening.  Today, our actions will be stronger than words.

 

Nothing about opening this school year is normal.  Nothing.

 

An invitation will be sent out again for the BAND App.

Sign-up forms will be sent to you for you to participate at OpenHouse and BOE meetings.  Everyone is invited to attend our first executive council meeting next Monday IN FRONT OF THE MIDDLE SCHOOL!!

 

Please carry your signs as we walk in and out of the stadium.

Until next time- In solidarity, thank you for your support, time, dedication, and efforts.  Your union will be fighting for you.  I hope you will be fighting with your union.

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Paul Szymendera

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