News Archive

On Sept. 8, President Obama delivered a national address to students on the importance of education, challenging them to work hard, set educational goals and take responsibility for their learning.

Photo: Students at Whiting High School in Laramie watch the live broadcast of President Obama as he stresses to students the importance of a quality education.

Public Education Loses Friend With Passing of Sen. Edward Kennedy

August 26, 2009 – The National Education Association joined Americans everywhere today in mourning the passing of Senator Edward Kennedy, the “lion of the Senate” and a staunch advocate for public education and health care. He was 77. Click here for to read more.

Education Summit held in Cheyenne

Education Department announces "Race to the Top" guidelines

WASHINGTON - July 24, 2009 - The Education Department announced its guidelines for the $4.35 billion “Race to the Top” fund today, which spells out how states can apply to win grants for innovation in education. The program is part of the nearly $100 billion allotted to education as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. More, including NEA President Dennis Van Roekel response.

Volunteers collate WEA Membership Materials membmatscollating (1).JPG

Members of the Specialist in Education Association (SIEA), an affiliate of the Wyoming Education Association in Cheyenne, spent the week of July 13th helping to collate membership materials for the nearly 7000 WEA members. The SIEA members earned money that will go to their scholarship fund. WEA members will receive their materials in mid-August.

Education Secretary Duncan hears from NEA members on education reform

Wyoming delegates among more than 9,000 NEA members at Annual Meeting

Education Secretary Arne Duncan told NEA members that educators must be at the table for any discussions about transforming America’s public schools. Duncan addressed more than 7,000 educators as part of a town hall exchange at the NEA’s Annual Meeting in San Diego, and heard their views on how to best ensure that every student has access to a quality public education.

An NEA member from every state joined Secretary Duncan on the stage, including Wyoming teacher Chassi Baumstarck who teaches first grade in Arapaho, "It was a great experience to be so close to the Secretary, and to look at the thousands of people watching," Said Chassi.

WEA members attend Representative Assembly, 2009

Over 40 Wyoming Education Association members and staff have joined over 9,000 NEA delegates from around the country July 1 through July 6 in San Diego, CA for the Association's 147th Annual Meeting and 88th Representative Assembly.

Wyoming students part of San Diego Outreach to Teach

At this year's "Outreach to Teach," more than 400 NEA volunteers - mostly Student and Retired members – descended on Balboa Elementary school in San Diego. Among them, Student Wyoming Education Association members Sara Simpson, Jennifer Smith, Trent Agee, Michaela Uhling, Daniele Boggs and Aaron Merkin. WEA Communications Director Ron Sniffin also joined the crew as the WEA Student Coordinator.

Fresh coats of paint and charming murals on interior and exterior walls are just part of the work that NEA, with the help of corporate sponsor Target, did to transform the school on Saturday, June 27.

Ken Decaria Hired as GR Director

Wyoming Education Association President Kathryn Valido today announced that Ken Decaria has been chosen as the WEA Government Relations Director. Decaria is a middle school teacher in Evanston and is currently a Wyoming State Senator. "We are very excited that Ken has accepted this position," said Valido. "Not only does Ken bring to the position his first-hand knowledge of Wyoming public education, but his invaluable experience as a Wyoming Legislator," she added.

Decaria has taught 25 years in Evanston schools, primarily teaching middle school. He has served in the Legislature for 13 years, first elected to the House in 1998, then elected to the Senate in 2000.

Decaria says he looks forward to using his life experiences when communicating with policy makers. "I think it will be good to have someone who understands the day to day challenges of being in the classroom, as well as the challenges that face legislators," said Decaria.

Decaria will officially begin his new position July 13th. He will resign his position as Wyoming Senator representing Senate District 15 the end of June.Ken Decaria Hired as GR Director

Governor Reduces Budget by $231.6 million

Following is an excerpt from the Governor's letter to the Wyoming Legislature's Joint Appropriations Committee regarding education funding.

I have followed Superintendent McBride's recommendations for a relatively small reduction in the foundation program. The School Facilities Commission faces a more substantial cut of $18.4 million. These reductions are only a first step, as forecasts suggest a shortfall of nearly $100 million in the foundation program next biennium, a figure which does not factor in an additional shortfall of approximately $230 million were we to attempt to maintain our current level of school construction spending. Clearly, changes to the makeup of the foundation formula and our school facilities construction targets will have to be considered.

The state will seek additional Federal school funding via the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, but it is important that the state be given the flexibility to time the distribution of ARRA education dollars to offset reduced state revenues, beginning in the next biennium.

New WEA leaders are elected

The results of the Wyoming Education Association 2009 elections were tabulated May 13th in the WEA Headquarters building in Cheyenne. Over a dozen WEA retired members volunteered to count the nearly three-thousand ballots that were cast. The most contested race was for Northwest District Representative to the WEA Board where Lander member Carrie Johnson edged out Greybull member Joel Kuper. The elections not only determined positions on the WEA Board of the Directors, but delegates to the National Education Association Representative Assembly, which will be held in San Diego July 1-7. Click here for all of the election results.

SPARKS fly during WEA workshop

WEA's Southeast district provided over 20 young educators the highly acclaimed

professional growth workshop SPARKS, May 4-6. The participants from Cheyenne, Laramie, Torrington and other southeast Wyoming communities, were offered valuable tools to help them in their classrooms, as well as in their personal lives. The topics discussed ranged from "Conflict Resolution," to "Financial Management." To request a SPARKS training in your area, contact your UniServ Director.

WEA and Arch Coal team up

to honor outstanding teachers

The Wyoming Education Association helped to recognize ten outstanding classroom teachers today who received the coveted Arch Coal Teacher Achievement Award during a ceremony at Buffalo Ridge Elementary School in Cheyenne. Representing WEA was Vice President Craig Williams (pictured at right) who was joined by Governor Freudenthal and his wife Nancy. Click here to read more.

Governor signs supplemental budget bill and session ends!

WEA election results May, 2009

WEA Board of Directors
WEA Treasurer: Jon VanOverbeke (two-year term)
NEA Director: Kathy Vetter (three-year term)
Central District President: Debbie Bovee (two-year term)
Northeast District Representative: Jennifer Fowler (two-year term)
Northwest District Representative: Carrie Johnson (two-year term)
Southeast District Representative: Amy Simpson (two-year term)
Southwest District President: Tyler Ruby (two-year term)
Southwest District Representative: Don Mende (two-year term)
Southwest District Representative: Kay Freudenberg (two-year term)

District positions not on the WEA Board
Central District Vice President: Dee Wood (two-year term)
Northwest District Vice President: Jennifer D'Alessandro (two-year term)
Southwest District Vice President: Bonnie Matlock (two-year term)

Delegates to the NEA Representative Assembly
NEA RA State Delegate (Category 1), 7 delegates -- for a two year term:
Don Mack
Sally Mack
Amy Simpson
Carole Palmer
Susan Cochran
Shawn Wiggins
Anne Howe
Alternates
Doreen McGlade
Patti Krakow

NEA RA State Delegate (Category 2) 1 delegate for a one year term:
Bob McCarty

Central/Southeast District Cluster Delegate to NEA RA (2 delegates) for a one year term:
Tresa Bandalos
Jane Niemitalo

Northeast District Cluster Delegate to NEA RA (2 delegates) for a one-year term:
Kelly Derryberry

Northwest District Cluster Delegate to NEA RA (4 delegates) for a one year term:
Cassie Baumstarck
Carol Harper
Joel Kuper
Wendy Kuper

Southwest District Cluster Delegate to NEA RA (2 delegates) for a one year term:
Bonnie Matlock
Pamela McCormick

NEA RA State ESP Cluster Delegate (1 delegate) for a one year term:
No write ins, no nominees

NEA RA State Retired Delegate (1 delegate) for a one year term:
Jacque Harrod, as per WEA Retired Bylaws

Student WEA Election Results
Sara Simpson, SWEA President
Jennifer Smith, SWEA Vice President
Trent Agee, WEA Secretary/Treasurer

The following Locals did not participate in the election:
Crook County EA
D-4 EA
Eastern WY College EA
Ethete EA
Ft. Washakie EA
Hot Springs County EA
LCCC EA
Meeteetse EA
Newcastle EA
Niobrara Cty EA
Northern WY CC
Pinedale EA
Riverton EA
Sheridan West EA
Star Valley/Cokeville EA
Teton Cty EA
Upton EA
West Big Horn Cty EA
Worland EA

Delegate Assembly a success despite spring storm

While not an official delegate to the 77th WEA Delegate Assembly, Mother Nature arrived bringing with her a harsh spring snowstorm that forced some adjustments to the April 16-18 annual event.

NEA President Dennis Van Roekel was the scheduled keynote speaker. He made it as far as Denver International Airport, but was forced to turn around and go back to Washington because roads were closed and flights canceled to Wyoming.

Teacher of the Year Alice King was the scheduled speaker for the Awards and Recognition Banquet, but she was stranded in Gillette.

Fortunately, most of the delegates made it to Laramie just before the storm hit. While the snow and wind raged outside, the delegates focused on important issues impacting Wyoming public education and discussed the future direction of the WEA.

The assembly is one of Wyoming's largest democratic deliberative and decision-making bodies. Over 100 delegates representing WEA's 6000 members discussed issues affecting Wyoming education and voted on WEA's platforms, ranging from Professional Standards and Practices to Membership.

Several smaller meetings and professional development opportunities were offered to the delegates. A Policy Development Workshop helped delegates who want to institute policy change in their school districts. WEA local presidents spent several hours during the Local Presidents' Council
sharing strategies and networking. Political action fundraising events, including live and silent auctions, raised money to help elect WEA-PACE endorsed candidates.

Although many of the recipients for WEA awards were not able to attend because of the weather, they were still recognized during the awards banquet Friday night.

Awards were also given to locals for increases in membership and other recognition. Many WEA-endorsed products were featured in the vendor area.

NEA President is keynote for Delegate Assembly

While Dennis Van Roekel is no stranger to Wyoming, this will be his first appearance in our state as President of the National Education Association. Van Roekel will be the keynote speaker during the 77th Wyoming Education Association Delegate Assembly that will convene in Laramie April 16-18. Members and the public are invited to hear Dennis April 17th at 10 am. Wyoming Teacher of the Year and WEA member Alice King will provide the keynote address during the Awards and Recognition Banquet Friday evening, April 17th.

Delegate Assembly is much more than speeches. When convened, the assembly is one of Wyoming's largest democratic deliberative and decision-making bodies. Nearly 200 delegates representing WEA's 6000 members will discuss issues affecting Wyoming education and propose policy to deal with these issues.

A full agenda fills the three-day event beginning Thursday, April 16th, with several meetings and professional development opportunities, including a Policy Development workshop from 4-5 pm. This training is designed to help delegates who want to institute policy change in their school districts. WEA local presidents attending DA will attend the Local Presidents' Council beginning with lunch on Thursday. This session allows presidents to share strategies and network to help their member-driven organization.

Political action fundraising events will also occur throughout the three days. During the awards banquet Friday night, Friends of Education will receive awards for their efforts and support of education. Awards will also be given to locals for increases in membership and other recognition. Many WEA-endorsed products will be spotlighted in the vendor area.

All WEA members are invited to observe their Association's biggest event of the year. For more information contact Julie Schwindt, Director of Support Services, jschwindt@nea.org, (800) 442-2395 ext. 103.

Wyoming Educational Leadership Doctoral Program

WEA attorney Pat Hacker speaks to students from the University of Wyoming Educational Leadership Masters and Doctoral Program. Pat provided a review of the Wyoming school funding litigation during a meeting in the Wyoming Supreme Court building.

WEA Board members help lobby

In conjunction with the WEA Board meeting in Cheyenne January 30-31, many board members helped lobby legislators in the state capitol.