The Bellevue Education Association is a professional association and union that serves as an advocate for its members and empowers the individuals it represents. It promotes positive educational working environments, safeguards members' rights, informs and works with the extended community, provides representation on educational issues and acts to obtain the resources necessary to insure excellence in public education.
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Members of School Board and District Leaders,
We know the difficult position that our district is in and acknowledge that enrollment decline and lack of state funding is at the heart of this. We have asked for clarity each and every day. The transparency has been lacking.
We empathize with our educators who are at Wilburton, Eastgate, Ardmore, Spiritridge and those that may be additionally impacted. It is difficult to hear that your school or program is slated to close or be consolidated. Especially when these buildings mean so much to us.
Our educators are the people that create the climate and culture of a school, no matter the building.
I want you to reflect on the impossible situation that you have put our educators, students, and community through during this process. In a time where we need unity the most, people have been divided. Clarity could have calmed the chaos.
Have you made it clear to the community that if consolidation does not happen, our staff are subject to layoffs? Do families understand the impact to supports and special services, which support the growth and development of our children? Our students deserve to have as many educators supporting them as possible. Bellevue is special because of our incredible programs, and the impact is on both educators and students if programs are cut.
You have said that choosing not to consolidate schools would also put our newest and early career educators in a position where they could be facing layoffs. We are advocating that you retain as many educators as possible across the district.
It is a difficult position to face - to have to fight for your school or your job. This perception could have been avoided. As Union leadership, our job is to uphold the collective bargaining agreement, and to advocate for our members and students to have as many resources as possible. As a District, your responsibility was to communicate the facts and answers.
Be clear. Be direct. Be honest with your staff, families, students, and yourselves.
Reflect on this process and how it has impacted our staff. Our path forward is together, but you need to lead the way with honesty and empathy.
Signed,
Jill Rock
Regen Lorden
Abigail Horsfall
Sara Clarke
Lena Pothitou-West
Mark Wilbert
Kim Hay
Dave Jensen
Michelle Mordaunt
Anna Silarski
President: Jill Rock
BEA Office
Vice President: Regen Lorden
BEA Office
Secretary: Abigail Horsfall
International School
Treasurer: Sara Clarke
Highland Middle
Equity Specialist: Marnie Kazarian Olson
Enatai Elementary
Early Career Educator Specialist: Tasha Dhoot
Wilburton Elementary
High School Rep: Anna Silarski
International School
Middle School Rep: Dave Jensen
Tillicum Middle School
Elementary Rep: Kyle Reimergartin
Spiritridge Elementary
Elementary Rep: Lena Pothitou-West
Somerset Elementary
Classroom-Based Services: Kim Hay
Tillicum Middle School
ESA Rep: Michelle Mordaunt
Highland Middle School
Specialist Rep: Mark Wilbert
BSD Central Office
Sammamish UniServ Council Board Representative
Eve Chan
Jill Rock
Regen Lorden
Chad Harper
Maya Vergien
MLK Labor Council
Stephen Miller
Two open seats
Dear BSD community members,
The effort to create accepting, anti-racist communities within our Bellevue schools has persisted for many years. With BSD staff, students, and administrators working towards our own personal ideals, it has come time for us to work together to reach a common vision, and to expand our efforts towards a shared goal.
With the intent to create a tolerant, anti-racist BSD culture and community, we work towards:
1. Adopting the goals of the anti-racist petition on a district-level.
2. Implementing the anti-racist practices outlined in the petition within individual classrooms.
3. Including student representation on high school building REI teams.
4. Encouraging the development of race, sexuality, and other identity-based affinity groups at all BSD schools.
a.Ensuring the presence of a SOAR chapter at each school.
On September 23, 2021, our BEA Representative Council voted to sign the Eastside Pathways Equity Pledge as a Partner Organization.
Eastside Pathways Equity Pledge participants believe that:
WEA/NEA Rep Assembly 2023 Election Reults: Click here for the full results
Resolution Regarding Community Engagement Officers in BSD
Community Coalition Letter 6.11.21
Letter from BEA President 6.1.21
BEA Collective Commitment 5.21.21
Resolution in Support of Asian Communities
Resolution in Solidarity with SEIU Local 925
Counselor Appreciation Week 2021