EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MESSAGE

Hello everyone! 

Happy day after Labor Day and hope everyone had an enjoyable and restful three-day weekend!  We have hit the ground running and below we have our scheduled professional development coming up.  it is also time to renew your WSPA membership.  Here is a reminder that we are contracting with WASA again to manage our membership roster and payment.  You should be hearing from Kaley VonVolkli (WASA Accounting Assistant) in regards to renewal.  I have posted pictures of our recent HELP participants on our website home page, check it out!

SAVE THE DATES!  THE TIME TO REGISTER IS NOW FOR MOST OF THESE TRAININGS.

What Every Educator Needs to Know from OPP via Zoom-September 21, 2023

This webinar is a collaboration between WSPA and the Office of Professional Practice (OPP). This session will put on by OPP and be focused on:  Pulling The Curtain Back On OPP: How And Why We Do What We Do.  Registration is OPEN on the link below.

School Law Conference will be held In-Person October 9-10, 2023 at the South Center Double Tree

This year's Law Conference Theme is: Resilience in Changing Times.  We have a DRAFT agenda that we are currently working on and will have that out soon.  Registration is OPEN as is the Hotel Link below.

Train the Trainer: What Every Educator Needs to Know from OPP via Zoom-October 24, 2023

This webinar is focused on training educators to train others within their district/ESD/entity.  Registration is OPEN on the link below.

S-275 Workshop via Zoom-October 31, 2023

We are again partnering with WASBO to provide this important training and special emphasis will be on "Learn how to place certificated employees within the S-275 report since the Washington State Legislature did away with the Salary Allocation Model in 2018. Special emphasis will also be given to CTE and ESA certificated employees."  The registration link will be coming soon.

Conflict Mediation November 16-18, 2023 (ZW) and November 30-December 1, 2023 (IP)

This is the rescheduled workshop from last spring and will be a combination of Zoom Webinar and In-Person training.  Certification will be provided for those who complete the course.  The registration link will be coming soon.

WSPA Leadership 2023-24

Doug Christensen, Assistant Superintendent at Kennewick SD; WSPA President: doug.christensen@ksd.org

Jennifer Koskovich, HRIS Manager, Renton School District, WSPA President Elect: jennifer.koskovich@rentonschools.us
Jane Stencel, Director of HR at East Valley SD Spokane; WSPA President 22-23; WSPA Professional Development Coordinator: stencelj@evsd.org 

Tina Limmer, Director of Human Resources, Systems and School Support, Puyallup School District, WSPA Treasurer: limmetm@puyallup.k12.wa.us

Traci Cox, Human Resource Coordinator, West Valley (Yakima) School District, WSPA Secretary: coxt@wvsd208.org

Darrell Heisler, Executive Director of WSPA: dheisler@wspa.net

HELP Certification Renewal 2023

After completing the first full three years of the HELP program, and every three years thereafter, HELP graduates are required to complete the following activities in order to maintain an active School Human Resource Program (SHRP) certification.

• A minimum of 50 hours of professional development within the three-year period.
• All course work must be professional. Time will count for actual sessions attended during conferences, but not for an overall conference (e.g., four and one-half hours for sessions vs. an eight-hour day for a conference).
• Professional development may include, but is not limited to, WSPA conferences, WSPA regional meetings, leadership seminars or trainings. Conferences, webinars, and other professional development focusing on human resources, employee or employment law issues. Reading materials such as books, articles or internet research is acceptable if the student submits a short synopsis of the content and its relationship to human resources, employees, leadership, or legal human resources issues. The synopsis must be attached to the log.

To qualify for certification maintenance, HELP graduates shall complete the attached HELP Certification Maintenance Form and forward it to the HELP coordinator on or before June 30^th of the year that is three years following graduation (e.g., June 30, 2006 for the first class of graduates, June 30, 2003).  Documentation such as registration forms, certificates of attendance, etc., should be maintained by the graduate UNTIL the renewed certificate is received. The HELP coordinator may ask for this information if clarification is needed.  If you fall into this category for this year, please submit your documentation ASAP (no later than August 31, 2023).   Submit materials to Jane: stencelj@evsd.org or stencelj@wspa.net

Hint: Do not submit your Maintenance Report and documentation until the third full year after your graduation and/or renewal as the requirements are for every three years. 

WASA, AWSP, WSSDA, OPP and WSPA partnership project!

Does anyone have written district protocol when determining whether or not to put an employee on Paid Administrative Leave or allow them to continue working?  If you do have written protocol, please share it with me (admin@wspa.net) as I am working on a project for WASA, AWSP and WSSDA.  Once complete, I will share with our entire membership and incorporate it into our professional development.

WASA and ERNN Expand Partnership

Following the retirement of Executive Director Warren Hopkins, the Employee Relations & Negotiations Network (ERNN) Board approached WASA with the idea of an expanded partnership. The new and increased level of collaboration with WASA will involve Andy Wolf in consultation with the ERNN Executive Board. WASA will sustain the provision of all member services and benefits. WASA will also develop and deliver the professional learning trainings, refresh and manage the ERNN website, and establish a “Bargaining Hotline” for ERNN members to access for perspective and guidance on matters related to bargaining.  To learn more about ERNN or an ERNN membership, visit the website or contact Andy Wolf.

Member Requests this week:

From: Jennifer Whitney, Executive Director of HR, Burlington-Edison SD - <jwhitney@be.wednet.edu>

Subject: Funding for Accommodating Employees?

Hello HR Friends,

We have recently hired an employee who is legally blind and has a seeing eye dog, and an employee who is part of the deaf community. Both will need accommodations to some degree; i.e., a laptop with a large screen, special software applications for devices, and ASL interpreters at least for staff meetings and professional development. 

Are you aware of any funds that can be used to support such types of accommodations for employees? Any grants or anything we could apply for? I'm assuming the answer is no, but figured it was worth throwing out there.

Thanks!
Jen

Funny of the week: I spotted an albino Dalmatian yesterday, it was the least I could do.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• September 21, 2023-What Every Educator Needs to Know from OPP (ZW)
• October 9-10, 2023-Law Conference-South Center Double Tree (IP)
• Oct 24, 2023-Train the Trainer: What Every Educator Needs to Know (ZW)
• October 31, 2023-S275 Workshop (ZW)
• Nov 16-18, 2023 & Nov 30-Dec 1, 2023-Conflict Mediation (ZW & IP)
• March 3-6, 2024-Annual Conference-Hilton Hotel-Downtown Vancouver, WA (IP)
• March 12, 2024-Washington Educator Career Fair-Spokane CC (IP)
• March 29, 2024(Tentative)-Washington Educator Career Fair-Tacoma GTCC (IP)

Have a great week everyone!

Darrell Heisler

WSPA Executive Director