Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/802239
SPRING 2017 | wyoea.org 5 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE Ron Sniffin WEA Executive Director rsniffin@wyoea.org You Get What You Elect The impact from our most recent legislative session will illustrate more than ever the adage, "everything that happens in your classroom is the result of what happens in the Legislature." Although I feel that I'm stating the obvious, Legislative Action is the result of Political Action. I'm always amazed when people are shocked by the actions of legislators, when I'm quite confident these same people voted for these same legislators. Or worse yet, these people didn't bother to vote at all, and then seem dismayed when they are not happy with the outcome of the legislature. I see this post-legislative time as an educational opportunity to attempt to connect political action with legislative action. It is a cyclical progression: 1. A person decides to run for office. They are often encouraged by others, or decide on their own. 2. Campaign 3. Election Day 4. Legislature (General and Budget Sessions) 5. Election again (House every two years, Senate every four years) 6. Process starts over again We just finished the General Session of the Legislature. And although we will have a Budget Session in a year, prior to the next election, now is the time to be evaluating the actions of your legislators to determine if they should "keep their job." Did they support education? Do you agree with how they voted? Did you ask them to vote a certain way, and did they? This was the first session following the 2016 election. All of the 60 House of Representatives seats were up for election, and half of the Senate's. Twenty of the House were freshmen, and seven of the Senate. While there are deep cuts in education funding, there were many proposals that would have cut even more. There were other attacks that failed, including a Constitutional amendment to diminish how the state values education. There was an attempt to essentially do away with continuing contract status, which was also killed. Unfortunately, funding for a replacement junior high school in Cheyenne was cut for no apparent reason. Thanks to "friends of education" legislators, we were able to stop much of the worst legislation. It is because of these pro-education legislators that the worst attacks to education were prevented. Now let's link back to the legislative cycle illustrated above. Next will be the budget session, then another election. NOW is the time to evaluate how your legislators voted this past session. NOW is the time to determine if he or she should be re-elected. If not, NOW is the time to begin seeking candidates to replace these incumbents. Perhaps you should be this candidate? Have you considered running for office? We have several WEA members currently serving, and have had many serve in the past. House Speaker Steve Harshman, a teacher and coach from Casper, was instrumental in preventing a lot of bad legislation from succeeding. Other WEA members currently serving include Senator Jeff Wasserburger from Gillette, Representative Gary Piiparinen from Evanston, and new this year, Representative Debbie Bovee from Casper. These members bring an invaluable perspective to the legislature when it comes to education. And other legislators listen to them. Often we hear legislators stress the importance of accountability in our schools. Educators are held accountable every day. Now is the time to hold our legislators accountable. • A highly qualified teacher in every classroom • Quality buildings where students are safe and learn • Small class size POTENTIAL NEGATIVE OUTCOMES • Large class size • Elimination of Continuing Contract status • Constitutional amendment to take away "fundamental right" to education Decide to run for office Campaign for office Election (every other year) Legislature Legislative Outcomes POTENTIAL POSITIVE OUTCOMES