WAEA: After The Bell...

In this episode we sit down with WA Chief Academic Officer Marcus Myers to do an overview of the year as well as what to the expect next year in the realm of teaching and learning. 

In this episode we discuss:

• 23-24 Standardized testing data
• Critical operations and the supplemental levy
• Impact of HB710 on school/classroom libraries
• Changes to ML and GT programs
• Teacher evaluations
• The "Flyers" behavioral school
• Cell phone and academic integrity policies
• And much more!

In this episode we sit down with IEA's Executive Director Paul Stark to discuss the 2024 Lobby Day and expectations of challenges/opportunities in this year's legislative session. 

Our amazing WAEA Observer, Sue Darden, is back and just in time to help us process a rather dramatic WA Board meeting. Join us as we review the November 13th meeting which had book bans, tutor.com review, our reconsideration process and much more. 

In this episode we sit down with West Ada's Chief HR Officer Dave Roberts to discuss the 2023 Open Enrollment period and the benefits available therein.

Topics Covered:

• What is Open Enrollment
• Why review/change your benefits
• District Contributions and Funding Formulas
• Increasing medical costs
• Short Term Disability
• Empower Wellness Program
• Telehealth
• How to enroll
• Special enrollment periods

In this episode, we sit down with WAEA endorsed candidate and incumbent WA Trustee Rene Ozuna to discuss her background, her history as a trustee and her priorities if she were to be re-elected to her position.  

And off we go... While a new school year starts with a lot of energy, hope and joy, it also comes hand-in-hand with many questions and challenges. In this first episode of the 23-24 school year, we sit down with WA Superintendent, Dr. Derek Bub to be informed and united in this exciting new beginning.   

In this episode we discuss:

• The District's new theme: "attitude over adversity"
• Bussing
• The move back to average daily attendance for funding
• The impacts of the failed levy last spring
• Disbanding of the multi-lingual magnet programs
• Potential legislative challenges to our libraries
• Online bullying of teachers
• The "Pulse Check" survey
• and much more!

The 22-23 school year was a rollercoaster ride of ups and downs. To help us process some of the major events and see what's in the cards for next year, we sit down for our annual chat with West Ada Superintendent, Dr. Derek Bub. 

In this episode we discuss: 

•  State funding
• The failure of the facilities levy
• Teacher retention
• Chat GPT
• Employee dress codes
• And much more..

In this episode we break down negotiations for the 23-24 contract with two members of the WAEA Negotiations Team Herby Kojima and Carmi Scheller. 

The contract ratification vote will take place Thursday, May 25th from 3:30-6pm in the Salmon Room at the District Service Center (this room is in the training center on the East side of the building).  

In February, the West Ada Board of Trustees unanimously approved a Plant Facilities Levy to be put on the May election ballot. Being the largest district in the state, and one of the most concentrated areas of the record growth the state has experienced in the last few years, the results of this election stand to dramatically affect what the next few years look like for our district. 

In order to help us wrap our heads around this decision and the stakes of the outcome, we  sit down with Chief Operations Officer Johnathan Gillan and Director of Education Services David Reinhart.   

Read more about the projects the  PFL will likely be used for and how it might affect local property taxes if passed on the district website.

Miss Monday's WA Board meeting and need a quick summary of the important events? We catch up with Sue Darden, our diligent WA Observer, to get the run-down on all the issues of the evening.

In this episode we discuss:

• West Ada's Facilities Master Plan and Funding Proposals

You can read Sue's fantastic notes on the meeting here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1K6jGJggA1T2MpofciJPE5zaoaAQBXc_r/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=104733766717476981384&rtpof=true&sd=true

You can watch the full board meeting here:
https://www.youtube.com/live/SANimJnJCl4?feature=share

View the Facilities Master Plan and Funding Proposal PPT here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tgvKQZCmEc6X1RJXPR4p9Op91d-laDJQ/view?usp=share_link