ARCHIVED INFO

2025 RIF/Bargaining Information

Find the most current information from Flash Emails and other urgent communications here.

5/6/25 FLASH - Voting Results
On May 5, 2025, WEA voted to ratify the one year extension with a 2.7% salary increase tentative agreement between WEA and the Board of Education.
Additionally, WEA approved the MOU to extend the deadline to declare retirement while keeping insurance in light of the recent STRS announcement lowering years of service to receive full benefits. These results were certified by the WEA Elections Committee. Thank you to our members who attended the meeting and participated in the discussion.

5/2/25 FLASH -Meeting and Vote
The Westerville Education Association and the Board of Education have reached a tentative agreement on a one-year contract extension. Details of the tentative agreement will be provided to membership at a General Membership meeting at 4:30 on Monday, May 5th at the Westerville North High School Auditorium. Please bring photo ID for admittance.

The May 5th General Membership meeting will be your only opportunity to hear from the bargaining team and have your questions answered directly. A written summary of contract language changes in the tentative agreement will be provided at the meeting. However, no details regarding the tentative agreement will be released prior to the General Membership meeting. Members will have the opportunity to vote after the meeting until 7 PM. This will be the only opportunity to vote.

In addition to voting on the tentative agreement, WEA members will need to vote on a memorandum of understanding with the district. This MOU will extend the deadline for members declaring to retire with benefits due to the STRS announcement of the lowering years of service from 33 to 32 for full benefits.

4/18/25 Crisis Committee

The communication below is an introduction letter from our WEA Crisis Committee Co-Chairs. Fill out this form if you are interested in joining the WEA Crisis Committee.

Hello! Our names are Brandon Allen and Emily Winship. We are the Co-Chairs of the newly formed WEA Crisis Committee.

What is the Crisis Committee?

The Crisis Committee is a sub committee, formed to work on behalf of the Negotiations committee. This committee will serve WEA to provide information and action between the Negotiations Team and our members.

Why does WEA need the crisis committee?

As you are aware, we are facing a very difficult time in our district. Between our economic uncertainty, our colleagues losing their jobs, and the district not following our contract, communication and collective action within our membership is going to be vital. Our goal will be to share any and all information that the negotiations team needs/wants you to know as effectively and efficiently as possible. We will also be the team to reach out and mobilize our membership into action as the needs and opportunities arise.

WEA want you!

We are looking for a dedicated and diverse group of WEA members to join our committee and become leaders and flashpoints for action across our membership. To ensure that we facilitate these goals well we would like to see all buildings across all levels and educational areas represented. This will help in our communication efficiency and coverage.

If this sounds like something that you want to be a part of and you are ready to dive in, please fill out this form expressing your interest and we will get back to you soon!

In Solidarity,

Brandon Allen and Emily Winship

4/13/25 Flash:

Please complete the WEA Negotiations Survey. Please only use personal emails to complete this survey.

All the details and agreed upon processes for negotiations are outlined in chapter 2 of the WEA Collective Bargaining Agreement.

As the WEA Bargaining Team continues our preparations for the bargaining process, the WEA Bargaining Team will be evaluating feedback from the above survey and then exchange contract proposals with the board later in May.

The WEA Bargaining Team wants to ensure all members understand the serious implications of the District’s recent decision to bypass the Reduction in Force (RIF) procedures outlined in Chapter 14 of our Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Instead, the District is misapplying Chapter 22—specifically misrepresenting Section 22.8.

The issue is straightforward: A Reduction in Force (RIF) occurs when the district employs a fewer number of WEA members than the previous year. The District plans to reduce the number of WEA positions for the 2025–2026 school year—a clear RIF. However, instead of following the agreed-upon RIF process in Chapter 14, the District is using Section 22.8 of Chapter 22 to justify this reduction, claiming it allows for involuntary transfers as a substitute. This is a misinterpretation.

The District’s approach sidesteps critical contractual protections. Unlike the transparent and structured RIF process—which ensures due process and safeguards for experienced educators—the District’s current path forces members into an uncertain application process. Members may be required to apply for roles outside their certification or preference, with no guarantee of placement. This risks pushing valued educators toward resignation rather than offering the clarity and rights provided under RIF.

The RIF process, while difficult, includes timelines, rights, and protections—notably, a suspended contract rather than outright termination. Ignoring this process undermines both the spirit and letter of our agreement.

We recognize the District’s fiscal challenges, but financial decisions must be made in accordance with our negotiated contract. Our agreement was built to provide stability, fairness, and respect for all members—and must be honored.

WEA continues to advocate for following Chapter 14 of the contract in our communications with district leadership, as well as supporting impacted members, and consulting with OEA to continue to have the contract followed moving forward.

In Solidarity,

The WEA Bargaining Team

3/24/25 Flash:

What a great turnout at the March 17th Board of Education meeting!

WEA leadership is asking for 75 members to sign-up and attend the Board meeting on Monday, April 7th and 100 members on Monday, April 21st. The meetings begin at 6 p.m. and are held at the ELC. Click the links below to sign-up to attend. Don't forget to wear your WEA shirt!

Here is the link for future board meeting dates so you are aware of when these are. Also stay tuned as we are planning another WEA General Membership meeting.

Please reach out to Trevor Kielmeyer, Kelly Modlich, and Molly Wassmuth with any questions.

BOARD MEETING SIGN UPS:

April 7th

April 21st

3/14/25 Flash:

At the general membership meeting yesterday, we discussed that the Board of Education may not be aware that WEA members have significant questions and concerns about the direction the district is heading. WEA members are feeling disrespected!

Based on the way this school year has unfolded relative to three specific areas of conversation including the district’s reaction to the numbers reported from the Workload Process for our Spec Ed department members, the reassignment of our Instructional Coaches, and the unwillingness thus far by administration to follow our contract for the implementation of the Reduction in Force, it’s time WEA members to become more visible.

To that end, WEA leadership is asking for 50 members to sign-up and attend the Board Meeting on Monday, March 17th. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. and is held at the ELC. Click the link below to sign-up to attend. Wear a WEA shirt!

Please reach out to Trevor Kielmeyer, Kelly Modlich, and Molly Wassmuth with any questions.

March 17 Board Meeting Sign-up