Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year! We hope that you had a relaxing and fun summer and are excited and energized to start the new school year!
EPEA NEWS:
Hello EPEA!
With workshop week drawing to a close and September approaching most rapidly, I want to take a quick moment to introduce myself and my role. For those who may not know, I assumed the EPEA Presidency on July 1 this year when Dominic Kirkpatrick began a leave of absence. I have served as the EPEA Vice President, Lead Negotiator for the previous two contract cycles, and as a Site Representative at EPHS. As someone who started their career in a right-to-work state, I cannot begin to describe how excited I am to represent each of you and advocate for what our colleagues and students deserve. It is your passion and dedication to our students that makes this the most meaningful work.
I want you to know that our union remains committed to advocating and advancing our needs. With another round of negotiations approaching in the Spring, know that your voice is at the center of our work. We know the power inherent in an engaged community, and I would encourage each of you to be the union as the year progresses.
As the Labor Day weekend begins, let us take a moment to appreciate the accomplishments made by our predecessors. Whether considering a duty-free lunch, a living wage, or a three-day weekend, all these accomplishments were won by the hard work of individuals choosing to come together for a collective good.
As the final weekend of the summer break begins, I hope each of you find the time for appreciation and reflection. We have an amazing year ahead of us, and I can’t wait to be there with you along the way!
Safety Taskforce Update
On August 14, a group of teachers and district administrators met for the inaugural Safety Taskforce meeting. This group was established in our last round of negotiations, and EPEA is hopeful that meaningful progress will be made regarding the physical and psychological safety for our membership. During the meeting, the importance of gathering feedback from a larger group was acknowledged by administrators and teachers.
If you have experienced unsafe conditions for yourself, colleagues, or your students, we want to hear your voice! We are looking for members to join this team to make sure our district leadership understands our daily conditions. Meetings are tentatively scheduled to take place in the afternoons once a quarter throughout the school year. If you are interested in learning more or joining the team, please let Charles Cooper know at epea4you@gmail.com.
SITE REP UPDATE:
As a new school year begins, it is important to know who your Site Reps are! These folks will be setting up building meetings, providing information to members at each site, and handling most direct union-related questions or concerns. Reach out and say hi when you get the chance!
Cedar Ridge:
Sara Nelson
Kadee Ruhland
Central Middle School:
Kristen Mantel
Kassy Miller
Marcus Moten
Eagle Heights:
Anna Alberto
Wendy Mendoza
Eden Lake:
Lauren Seashore
Current Vacancy
Eden Prairie High School:
Alex Bauer
Todd Organ
Jayson Sandeen
Holly Anderson
Forest Hills:
Blair Butler
Rachel Knutowski
Oak Point:
2 Current Vacancies
Prairie View:
Beth Pederson
Current Vacancy
Tassel/Lower Campus/Eden Prairie Online:
Elizabeth Griffin
Payroll Checks: Article VIII, Section 6, Subd 1: “K-12 teachers shall have the option to be paid in twenty-four (24) or twenty (20) equal semi-monthly installments. Paydays shall be the 15th and the last day of each month or the last weekday preceding these days if the 15th or the last day should be a school holiday.” So how do I determine if my paycheck is accurate? This video walks you through it.
TSA(403b) Match: Article XIII, Section 3, Subd 4: “This matching tax-sheltered annuity program will provide a dollar-for-dollar match of an eligible employee’s tax-sheltered annuity up to 2.25% of the employee’s basic salary.” If you are not currently investing at least 2.25% into a TSA, this negotiated benefit is being left on the table, which is actually a cost against our bargaining unit.
September is a great time to rethink your contribution amount for the coming academic year. Below is a list of all the approved vendors for the district TSA match.
GUIDANCE from YOUR MEMBER RIGHTS ADVOCATE:
Social Media Recommendations:
When you are setting up your profile information on socials, please be aware that if you publicize your workplace as Eden Prairie Schools, you may open yourself up to violating the district’s social media policy that relates to employee speech regarding the topics of religion, political issues, and controversial topics while in the presence of students. “While in the presence of students” does include social media platforms when the posts or comments are made as a school employee to communicate to students and families and not as a member of the general public.
If you are in need of support at an administration meeting, believe there is a contract violation, or have a performance/conduct-related support request, please connect with Carla Thompson (Lead MRA) cthompson@edenpr.org or 952-240-6577
MEMBER BENEFITS:
BUILT IN BENEFITS WITH MEMBERSHIP
ESI PerksConnect - discounts to area activities and restaurants
NEA Discount Marketplace - discount tickets and
travel programs
SCHOOL BOARD UPDATE
The Eden Prairie Education Association will be screening candidates who have filed for the Eden Prairie School Board on the evening of September 12th. If you are interested in taking part in this screening, please reach out to Charles Cooper at epea4you@gmail.com.
"Every day may not be good, but there's something good in every day." -Alice Morse Earle
In Solidarity,
Charles Cooper, EPEA President
Mike Woizeschke, EPEA Vice President
Brent Bovitz, EPEA Treasurer
Jessica Premo, EPEA Secretary
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