SEA Snapshot: Steering Through the Week
We have officially made it to Fall and the end of September! This week is busy for members of the SEA with our building rep meeting and Region 35 meeting today, and the contract negotiations team meeting this Friday. Our research team will continue to read through proposals and looking through other district’s contracts in order to put together the best bargaining agreement for us.
Today we also have SEA Special Elections to elect additional building reps for a few of our buildings: Addams, Armstrong, Campanelli, Fox, and Muir. Building reps in those building should be sending you information on when and where to vote today, as it is necessary for a paper ballot vote for this election. Reps, please bring these ballots to our building rep meeting today. Thank you!
Today’s Building Rep Meeting
As a SEA member, you are invited to attend our first SEA Building Representative Meeting of the 2026-2027 School Year today from 3:30-5:00 PM in the PLC. All members are welcome to attend! Your building reps will be having a brief 10-minute meeting sometime within the next week or so with the members in your building to review the meeting highlights. We will have a special presentation from Ben Gray, our UniServ Director, on the Basics of Health Insurance and the work of our Benefits Committee. Additionally the building reps will be taking action on the proposed amendments to SEA’s Bylaws.
First IEA Walk-In of the Year: Friday, October 2
Join IEA members all across Illinois for monthly solidarity walk-ins. As part of the May Day Strong movement, we are standing up to the ultra rich who are trying to privatize and profit off of our public schools, colleges and universities. We will take action on the first Friday of every month and build our power throughout the 2026-27 school year. Please wear your Solidarity or Red for Ed shirts and meet by your flagpoles this Friday morning and participate in the first IEA Walk-In of the year.
IEA Early Career Fall Blitz – October 24
Join members of IEA’s Early Career Committee and other local Early Career educators (years 1-10 in the profession) in our area for the Early Career Fall Blitz in Oakbrook on October 24th. Learn how you can get involved with IEA as an early career educator, how to have a small part in decision-making bodies within IEA, and to take election-related action for public education. This is a FREE event and includes lunch. Resources and promotional items will also be provided for Early Career Region Representatives to take back to their regions. For more information and how to register, check out the link to the Early Career Fall Blitz.
Professional Development Opportunity Funds
Want to attend a professional development outside of the district? The Illinois Education Association (IEA) allots $40,000 annually to be spent on professional development to meet the specific needs of its members across the state.
The IEA Professional Development Funding Opportunities Committee oversees distribution of these funds.
Visit http://www.tinyurl.com/IEAPD today to review the criteria and submit your application!
SEA/SEEO Craft and Vendor Fair
Looking for crafters and vendors for our 4th Annual SEA/SEEO Craft and Vendor Fair on Saturday, November 7th from 10 AM – 4 PM. Registration is open now. This event serves as a fundraiser for the D54 Education Foundation. We have about 30 vendors registered so far, but we would love to keep growing this event! Save the date and be sure to let your friends and family know about our event. Click here to register to be a vendor!
Weekly Contract Reminder – Religious Observance Leave
Pursuant to the application of state law, educators who decide not to use their business days and who need to take time off from work in order to practice religious beliefs will be permitted to engage in work during hours other than the employee’s regular working hours, consistent with the operational needs of the District, and in order to compensate for work time lost for religious reasons.
The employee and direct supervisor will develop a plan to make up for this time, keeping in mind student/school needs and employee needs with work that closely aligns to the employee’s job description. In order for an educator to take time off from work to practice religious beliefs, the educator must give the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources or designee written notice at least five (5) calendar days prior to the day the educator intends to take off (Page 14).
Upcoming Events
• Monday, September 28: SEA Building Rep Meeting, 3:30 – 5 PM in the PLC, membership vote on the SEA Bylaw Revisions
• Friday, October 2: SEA Research Team Meeting #2 at the Palatine IEA Office (8:30 AM – 3 PM)
• Friday, October 2: First IEA Walk-In of the Year – please wear red or solidarity shirts.
• Monday, October 5: SEA Exec Board Meeting, 3:30 – 5 PM in the Board Room
• Monday, October 12: No School (Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day)
• Monday, October 19: SEA Building Rep Meeting, 3:30 – 5 PM in the PLC
• Saturday, October 24: IEA Early Career Fall Blitz, St. Charles or Bloomington | Register here
• Wednesday, October 28: Report card website open
