ETA In-Building Elections

April 24, 2020

Contents

• ETA Representative Election Process
• Role of Association Representative
• ETA Head Rep Election
• Role of the Head Building Rep
• SIP/SD/PD Committee Election Process
• Role of members of SIP/SD Representative
• Role of Professional Development Representative
• Sample Ballot

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Resources

ETA Bylaws

The Elgin Agreement

SIP and SD Training

Member Rep Training

ETA Representative Sample Ballot

SIP/SD/PD Representative Sample Ballot

ETA In Building Elections Video

ETA Representative Nominations

• Nominations and elections should be happening in April and May
• The head rep should send an email to all ETA Members in the building seeking to be a nominee as an ETA Representative. The email should include the deadline for nominations, as well as the date for elections
• If there are more nominations that positions, an election should be held
• Be sure to include new members to your building in these elections.

ETA Representative Election Process

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From the ETA Bylaws

In each school or district-wide department, there shall be one Association Representative elected for every ten members or major portion thereof. There shall be at least one Association Representative from each school or districtwide department. Elections shall be by secret ballot and held during April or May. All Association Representatives shall assume their position at the regularly scheduled Representative Assembly in May.

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Role of an Association Representative

• Work with the Head Representative to disseminate information to members and work through building concerns
• Attend the RA on a monthly basis
• Be an advocate for teachers in your building and listen to their concerns
• Mentor new ETA members on all things ETA
• Know The Elgin Agreement
• Support the Head Rep in their duties

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ETA Head Rep Election

From the ETA Bylaws

In each school where there are two or more Association Representatives, the Association Representatives shall elect one of their number as the Head Representative.

Once the election of reps for the building is complete, there should be an election from within the representatives for who will be the head rep.

Role of the Building Head Rep

• Head Representative is the go to person for issues related to the Elgin Teacher Association in their respective building
• Be a liaison between the members in the building and the building administrator
• Meet with building representatives to discuss ETA and building issues
• Delegate responsibilities to the building reps.
• Maintain a contact list of home emails to easily contact members about ETA issues and concerns

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SIP and SD Representative Election

• Nominations and elections should be happening in April and May
• The head rep should send an email to all teachers in the building, seeking nomination to be a department representative on SIP or SD. The email should include the deadline for nominations, as well as the date for elections
• Departments will nominate and elect one representative within their department
• Departments include Math, Science, English Language Arts, Social Studies, Physical Education, Special Education, Dual Language, Electives, and Related Services
• If there are more nominations that positions, an election should be held within that department by secret ballot
• Be sure to include new members to your building in these elections
• Elections will be run by the ETA. Building administration should not be involved in the election process.
• A person does not need to be a member to sit on these committees but it is highly encouraged that members vote for other ETA Members.

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SD Makeup

The teachers in each school/department and in each of the Special Services Departments shall elect representatives to a school/department committee as follows:

(a) Elementary - shall elect one teacher from each grade level and one teacher from special services.

(b) Secondary - shall elect one teacher from each department and one teacher from special services.

(c) Special Services - shall elect on a ratio of one (1) per ten (10) teachers or fraction thereof in each department, but not fewer than three (3).

The committee shall elect its chairperson and secretary

SIP Makeup

The teachers in each school shall elect representatives to a School Improvement Committee as follows:

(a) Elementary - shall elect one teacher from each grade level and one teacher from special services.

(b) Secondary - shall elect one teacher from each department and one teacher from special services.

The committee may elect its chairperson(s).

What Makes a Good SD/SIP Representative

A good School Department Representative…

• Is a representative of a grade level or department and is the voice of the department and not themselves
• Communicates between the SIP/SD committee and the members of their department or grade level.
• Brings concerns/issues to SIP/SD
• Should be willing to work towards consensus
• Should be present, prepared, engaged and committed to represent their department/grade level

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Professional Development Committee

Full Professional Development Committee will be comprised of the Superintendent’s designee and one (1) teacher from each school in the district. The Superintendent’s designee and one teacher, who serve on the Steering Committee, will serve as co-chairs for the full committee.

The role of the Professional Development Committee is to coordinate and to plan learning opportunities to support professional development for all teachers, recognizing their differentiated needs. All representatives will collaborate with the SIP team at their school or their department within the district to plan professional development activities. The Committee shall establish procedural guidelines as necessary for its operation.

Affirmation

In the event that an election is not contested, meaning there are not more nominees than their are positions available, those who are running for a position will be appointed to the role by affirmation and an election will not be necessary.

Sample Ballots

The ballot should be simple and easy for anyone to fill out. Clicking the image below will allow you to make a copy of that Google Form. There is a ballot for ETA Reps and a ballot for the various committees (SIP/SD/PD)