Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1508385
ISEA Communiqué • isea.org October/November 2023 3 October/November 2023 – Vol. 61 No. 2 The ISEA Communiqué (ISSN 0019-0624) is published seven times a year (monthly except July & August; plus combined in October/ November, December/January, and April/May) by the Iowa State Education Association, 777 Third St., Des Moines, IA 50309, 515-471-8000 or 1-800-445-9358. $3.87 of membership dues is for a year's subscription; for nonmembers, the annual subscription is $10. Periodical postage is paid at Des Moines and additional mailing oces. Postmaster: Send address corrections to ISEA Membership Records, 777 Third St., Des Moines, IA 50309. Advertising: To advertise, contact Kimberly Knight at 515-471-8000 or email kimberly.knight@isea.org. ISEA makes no representations regarding advertised products or services that are not endorsed by ISEA or NEA Member Benets. Duplicate mailings? To stop duplicate mailings to the same household, contact the membership department at 515-471-8000 or email isea.membership@isea.org. President: Mike Beranek Vice President: Josh Brown Treasurer: Kelly McMahon Senior NEA Director: Rachella Dravis NEA Director: Sara Earleywine Executive Director: Mary Jane Cobb Editor: Mike Wiser Editorial Assistant: Kimberly Knight Visit us on the web at isea.org Cover photo by Mike Wiser OPINION Taking a position may seem risky; however, none of us can take risks when it comes to maintaining a contract and advocating for our students and our profession. Do you know who's running for school board? by Mike Beranek, ISEA president, mike.beranek@isea.org Tuesday, Nov. 7, is fast approaching; this will be when we all must fulll our civic duty of voting. This year's ballot includes candidates running for local school boards and municipal oces. Decisions made by school boards can and will have signicant consequences for students, educators, and our communities, as we witnessed this past year from all corners of the state. All our locals need to be actively engaged in helping elect individuals who will serve the needs of our students and help ensure that sta are respected, provided for, and listened to. Time and time again, when school boards listen to their local associations, the outcomes help the working environment, programming, and the interests of the entire community. Right now, out-of-state entities and home- grown advocacy groups are working to put policies and guidelines that contradict our fundamental goal of teaching all children who enter our schoolhouse doors. They limit choices for all our students and families under the "parental choice" banner. Once a book has been removed, that book is no longer available to anyone else. Once accommodation is restricted, it will not be made for anyone else. An active campaign in Iowa has recruited and will support only people bent on banning books and destroying public education. This viewpoint does not represent most Iowans and will harm the fundamental right of all children to have a free public education. Our students have the right to see themselves in the curriculum, hear their voices in the classroom, and be respected and supported no matter their neighborhood, culture, or religious expression. School districts making reductions and decisions that negatively impact the master contract will nd recruiting and retaining employees more challenging. We have a critical shortage of people entering our profession, and some elected ocials' narrow, anti-public education viewpoint is exponentially impacting this crisis. We recommend all local associations interview the candidates running for your school board and share the answers these candidates give during the interview process. This process not only makes clear where a candidate stands on important issues, but it is also an opportunity to build important relationships after the election. Making a recommendation will help guide ISEA members as they complete the ballot. Remember, your community recognizes you as an authority on education and what is best for students. Taking a position may seem risky; however, none of us can take risks when it comes to maintaining a contract and advocating for our students and our profession. As the time draws near, the entire local association's membership needs to become actively involved in talking with others about who will represent them on the school board. Possible advocacy techniques include postcards, phone banks, door knocking, and addressing community organizations. A proactive, informed electorate will make decisions in the best interest of the entire community. Collective advocacy is one of the most important tools we have. Together, when we advocate electing individuals who will serve in the best interests of all our students and education professionals, we are advocating for the future of many of our communities. Unfortunately, we cannot assume that our "little corner of the world" will be free from people who wish to harm us. Everything in our profession is impacted by who is elected to oce and what they believe. It aects our work and our students' environments and impacts the growth and well-being of all our communities. It's that important. SAVE THE DATE The 9th Annual Welcomes all preservice, 1st to 3rd year educators, and m entors to DDrake University on Jan. 20 , 2024 Elevating Teachers, Elevating Learning