By CCEA Vice President Theo Small

Thank you for your continued membership and engagement! As a community of educators and licensed experts, we are a resource to advance and elevate your professional success and the profession at large.

As the start of the 2015-2016 year nears, we’ve included an update on some of the key issues we are working on.

• Contract negotiations. Everyone was struck with surprise, anger and frustration when CCSD announced a unilateral salary freeze in late June. Teachers and licensed professionals didn’t take this news lightly. Almost six thousand people signed a petition and over one thousand emailed the Trustees, hundreds rallied and many addressed the Board of Trustees at the most recent CCSD meeting, while a packed chamber cheered them on.

Our CCEA Negotiations Team continues to meet with CCSD to reach an agreement for the 2015-2016 school year. The bottom line is, we know the district has money. After all, we just completed a historic legislative session where we worked to secure over $800 million in new funding.  Securing a salary schedule that’s more competitive and allows the district to recruit and retain quality teachers and enhances our living standard remains a priority. The team is also addressing other issues to provide you with necessary support, so stay tuned while your team works to secure a fair contract and benefit package. For up to the minute updates,   sign up for our Text Alert System by texting the word “CCEA” to the number 877-877.

• Health insurance. Stabilizing our Teachers Health Trust means we will have more choices, better healthcare, and more control in the hands of teachers. Yes, there is a 5-month temporary cost we have to absorb. By January 1, 2016 our health insurance will be the best in Nevada. Teachers who need more care, will get more care.

• Growing your professional learning opportunities. The CCEA Professional Learning program continues to expand. We have added courses and workshops designed to help you develop a stronger practice. We invite you to take a look at the lineup and take advantage of this membership benefit—sign up right away as classes fill up quickly!

• Developing leaders. It’s hard to believe how many aspects of our profession are determined during the Legislative Session. In order to grow our capacity and influence in Carson City, we must continue to build our leadership capacity in schools across Clark County to ensure tangible funding and policy outcomes, a strong teacher voice, and an improved worksite climate.

• Staying connected. Communication is vital to our success as teaching professionals. To stay informed, check our website (ccea-nv.org), Facebook (Clark County Education Association), and Twitter (@cceainfo) for regular updates. If any of your contact information changes, let us know right away.

Our hope is that you all have had an opportunity to recharge and are now getting ready for the new school year. To help you get a jump-start, we have prepared some valuable materials for you.