Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/827301
SPRING 2017 | wyoea.org 5 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE Ron Sniffin WEA Executive Director rsniffin@wyoea.org WEA's vision is to promote a society where education is seamless, respected and highly valued. Our members, leaders and staff do a great job focusing on all that impacts the quality of education Wyoming students receive. We are the experts when it comes to quality learning, curriculum, school workplace, professional development and all that impacts a student's ability to learn and a teacher's ability to teach. This is a big undertaking that takes all the resources WEA can muster. Yet, there is so much more in our society that can affect the quality of education our students receive. While WEA works closely with others inside the education community, such as the School Boards Association, School/ University Partnership, the State Board of Education, the Wyoming Department of Education, the various school administrator groups and others, we also work closely with entities outside of the education community to help address issues that may inadvertently impact a student's education and/or an education employee's ability to teach. One such organization is the Equality State Policy Center (ESPC). WEA was a founding member of ESPC more than two decades ago. The ESPC is a coalition of non-profit organizations who share many common interests. WEA relies on ESPC to help with a myriad of issues that impact education employees and the students they teach. Wyoming Retirement System (WRS) – One issue on which ESPC has helped take the lead is an effort to protect the Wyoming Retirement System. Since 2014, when legislation was proposed to significantly damage the WRS by converting the structure from a defined benefit (guaranteed income) plan to a defined contribution (401k style plan), ESPC has coordinated a series of town hall meetings to provide the public with factual information about the WRS in an effort to prevent false information from taking hold. Good Government – ESPC efforts have made Wyoming government more transparent. Timely notices of committee meetings and much of the information on the Legislative website are the result of pressure from the ESPC to hold policymakers accountable. Current efforts include a failed attempt to require the Legislature to post recordings of interim committee meetings. Social Justice – ESPC strives to prevent social oppression that can result in social or legal exclusion, discrimination, inequitable distribution of resources, and emotional and physical consequences that can impact a student's ability to learn and a teacher's ability to teach. Worker safety – ESPC has been a leader in drawing attention to the abysmal worker-safety record in Wyoming that impacts the families of Wyoming's students. Tax policy – Member organizations collectively analyze the tax structure in Wyoming, which relies disproportionately on the mineral industry to sustain not only public education, but all governmental services that provide a high quality of life for Wyoming citizens. There is much work to be done to help ensure a quality society exists to provide the atmosphere for a quality education in Wyoming. With the help of the ESPC, WEA can focus our attention on education issues. I encourage you to learn more about the ESPC and make a tax-deductible donation to them today! The Equality State Policy Center, a broad-based coalition of Wyoming interests, works through research, public education and advocacy to hold Wyoming state and local governments accountable to the people they represent, and to encourage and assist state residents to participate effectively in public policy decision-making. Thank you for your generous support of the Equality State Policy Center! You're helping us make sure our government really is of the people, by the people, for the people. Donate by visiting www.equalitystate.org, or completing the information below: Yes, please count me in as a friend of the ESPC! Enclosed is: $_________ Please make checks payable to "Equality State Policy Center." Mail to ESPC, 419 S. 5th St., Suite 1, Laramie, WY 82070 Your Name(s): ____________________________________________________ Address: _________________________________________________________ City: ____________________________ State: _________ Zip: ____________ Phone: _________________ Email: ___________________________________ The ESPC is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Your contribution is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. ESPC - Working For Us All