March 19, 2023
Check out the Latest updates tab at SPFE28.org to read this email in your browser!
As always, Wear Red on Thursdays!If you need some shirts for new members at your site, stop by the SPFE office (23 Empire Drive, St. Paul) before 4pm or contact your organizer.
Bargaining Kick-off with Metro locals
SPFE joined five others locals representing educators in Minneapolis, Robbinsdale, Annoka Hennepin, Dakota County, and Osseo in advocating to fully fund our public schools. Each district filed their intent to bargain today with the Bureau of Mediation Services. https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?extid=SMS-UNK-UNK-UNK-IOS_GK0T-GK1C&mibextid=YCRy0i&ref=watch_permalink&v=506449658369902
SPFE negotiates hiring and retention bonuses for hard-to-fill positions!
Saint Paul Public Schools is offering hiring and retention bonuses for specific hard-to-fill positions for the 2023-24 school year. SPPS heard loud and clear from our members that fully staffed teams are crucial for our students and staff. Because of our members continued advocacy around staffing, SPPS has agreed to offer bonuses to incentivize new educators into our district. The recruitment bonus is $10,000 for the first 70 special education licensed educators and social workers, to be paid in three installments over two years. Other positions are eligible for $2,000-$4,000 in bonuses.
For more information, Flyers for each of these bonuses, including information for EAs, SCSPs, and current staff, are available to download/print/share.
2023 SPFE Local #28 scholarship application
Applicant’s parent(s) or legal guardian must have been a Local #28 union member before September 1, 2021 in order to qualify for this scholarship. All scholarship materials must be in the St. Paul Federation of Educators’ office April 28, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. An April 28, 2023 postmark is NOT acceptable. Application request should email Julie at julie@spfe28.org.
The Monthly ESP Zoom meeting will be Wednesday, March 22nd at 5 pm.
This a monthly space for Educational Assistants and School and Community Service Professionals. We will highlight issues, resources and events related to Educational Support Professionals.(ESP’s) RSVP https://forms.gle/kWdZAmbNSpufbwmWA
We would love to hear from you on what you’d like to learn more about or who you’d like to hear from at future meetings. Please send with any suggestions or ideas at espdirector@spfe28.org.
ESP Committee meetings are held every 4th Weds of the month at 5 p.m.(with the exception of June through August) All meetings are held via zoom. If you RSVP using this form by 4pm on the Weds of the meeting, you will be emailed a link.
SPFE Climate Action Team
- Our next SPFE Climate Action meeting will be Monday 3/20 at 4:30. The link to join is, meet.google.com/fms-phdx-hia Among other things we will have a guest speaker from TakeAction Minnesota to talk about climate organizing they are doing and the potential of a Green New Deal for schools.
- Check out this info about Climate Justice legislation happening at the Capitol and contact your legislator to share your support! https://drive.google.com/file/d/19zs43OI7rTtmIQuzsJaUlQxSdX0WU36S/view?usp=sharing
Nellie Stone Johnson Scholarships for union families. Click here to learn more. Deadline is June 1.
AFL-CIO Scholarships Available. Click here to learn more. Deadline is May 1.
Rally for Public Education at the Capitol— May 20, 1 p.m. Save the date!
Members and supporters of public education will rally at the Minnesota State Capitol May 20 to give a final push to legislators to fully fund public education. The rally begins at 1 p.m., with lunch and sign-making at Education Minnesota headquarters beginning at noon.
Pension town hall— March 29, 5 p.m.
Members will be able to meet with Rep. Kaohly Her, Chair of the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement, and Rep. Dan Wolgamott, LCPR member and lead author of our pension bill (HF2222), for a virtual legislative forum on pension issues March 29 starting at 5 p.m.
SPED PIC Meeting Recap: Please click here to read the recap from the SPED PIC meeting on Thursday. You can also find the recap linked on the SPFE website. Shoutout to everyone who came, and to the two members that presented on issues impacting their sites, Laura Madson from Eastern Heights and Christin Fleming from Bridgeview!