New Business Items

NBI#1 – Motion Carried

I move that OEA will inform locals of the following sample contract language, through existing digital/print publications and OEA events, that may be put into contracts to include bereavement leave for pregnancy loss. The language will be as follows:

A teacher, as an expectant parent, spouse, and/or domestic partner who suffers a pregnancy loss (including, but not limited to, chemical pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, miscarriage, Terminated for Medical Reasons (TFMR), stillbirth, neonatal loss) shall be eligible for bereavement leave.

Rational: Miscarriages occur in 1 in 4 pregnancies. This is a loss and should be eligible for bereavement leave.

MAKER:           Jordann Hardin                                  ZONE:  OC B

SECONDER:      Lori Burris                                         ZONE:  OC D

NBI#2 – Motion Carried

I move that OEA will acknowledge October as National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month through social media posts and digital publications.

Rational: 80% of Oklahoma teachers are female. Miscarriages occur in 1 in 4 pregnancies. Many teachers are suffering in silence and should be supported.

MAKER:           Jordann Hardin                                  ZONE:  OC B

SECONDER:      Lori Burris                                         ZONE:  OC D

NBI#3 – Motion Failed

NBI#4 – Refer to Legislative

OEA will utilize an OPT IN text message system, much like REMIND, to inform members of important upcoming bills to be discussed in committee and/or on the floor. This text messaging system will also alert members of proposed legislation that affect their positions as educators and/or public education.The text messages will include when/where the bill will be heard and information on how to contact our legislators. A link in the text directing members to a landing page with more information is needed.  Text messages will happen weekly as needed during the legislative session by sending urgent calls of action to members’ cell phones via text message and as needed throughout the year to quickly communicate with members.

Rational: Even though OEA uses the text system of Hustle and emails, these forms of communication do not arrive in an urgent manner to notify members to immediately contact their legislators and ask them to vote for or against an education bill.

I receive OPT IN text messages from organizations that I am not a member of such as: OSSBA, Oklahoma Rural Schools Coalition, OKPLAC, and CCOSA. I want legislative action alerts through text messages from OEA, my professional organization.

MAKER:            Barbie Jackson                                  ZONE:  TM D

SECONDER:       Betty Collins                                     ZONE:  TM D

NBI#5 – Motion Carried

I move that OEA explore the cost of electronic voting during future Delegate Assemblies.

Rational: Electronic voting was used during the 2022 NEA Representative Assembly and provided an quick and accurate voting count on new business items. This type of voting would eliminate the need for delegates to stand and be counted during a close vote.

MAKER:             Angelia Franke                                   ZONE: NE A

SECONDER:       Jennifer Essau                                   ZONE: NE B

NBI#6 – Motion Carried

I move that OEA make NBIs submitted for the 2024 Delegate Assembly immediately available to all Delegates to read and review on the Delegate section of OEA’s website as they are submitted.

Rational: To allow delegates to read, prepare, collaborate, and offer amendments to NBIs ahead of DA.

MAKER:             Nathan Velders                                 ZONE: OC B

SECONDER:       Mark Webb                                       ZONE: NW C

NBI#7 – Motion Carried

I move that The OEA purchase and maintain an additional flag pole installed on the east side of the Oklahoma Education Association entrance sign.

Rational: This would ensure that all students and educators can usually see the celebration/observance’s flags being proudly flown outside of the OEA offices.

MAKER:                Brittany Arnold                                 ZONE:  SW B

SECONDER:           Kamber Clark                                  ZONE:  OC A

NBI#8 – Motion Carried

I move that The President of the OEA send and publish, using existing resources an open letter to the governor and legislative leaders of Oklahoma supporting a ban on assault weapons.

Rational: Gun violence is currently the number 1 cause of childhood death in the United States.

MAKER:                Lori Burris                                         ZONE:  OC D

SECONDER:          Nadine Gallagher                                ZONE:  OC A

NBI#9 – Motion Carried

I move that The OEA publicly display and encourage all locals to publicly display all monthly celebrations/observances’ flags outside of all OEA office building properties.

Rational: This would ensure that all students and educators can visually see that the OEA supports them as they pass by the OEA office.

MAKER:              Brittany Arnold                                 ZONE:  SW B

SECONDER:         Kamber Clark                                  ZONE:  OC A

NBI#10 – Motion Failed

NBI#10 Amendment – Motion Failed

New Legislative Amendment #1 – Motion Carried

Legislative Goals:

1. High Standards

I move that the OEA will support legislation to allow First American Students to wear tribal regalia at high school graduations in public schools, graduations, ceremonies, etc. In public schools.

RATIONAL: This bill is on the governor’s desk, and we need to urge him to sign this into law for our native (indigenous) students. This is who they are and represent pride in achievements. As original ancestors of this land, we have made enough concessions to be part of one county, ie assimilation, boarding schools, losing our traditions, and language and history.

New Legislative Amendment #2 – Motion Carried

I move that the OEA include in the Legislative Goals that there will be Legislative actin taken to eliminate straight party voting.

RATIONAL: Straight party voting is detrimental to democratic process and hurts public education, students, and educators.

MAKER:          Nadine Gallagher                                ZONE: OC A

SECONDER:     Amy Muegge                                      ZONE: NW B

New Legislative Amendment #3 – Motion Carried

Legislative Goals:

Area II:

I move that OEA support and preserves local control over all decisions and policies regarding public education.

MAKER:           LeeAnne Jimenez                            ZONE: TM A/B

SECONDER:     Lawrence Lane                                ZONE: SE B

NBI#11 – Motion Failed

NBI#12 – Motion Carried

The OEA will publicly denounce any discrimination toward the LGBTQIAZS+ community and national legislation that would be harmful to any LGBTQIAZS+ student or education employer.

Rational: In accordance with our Resolutions Goal are VII-1, this NBI would allow us to improve human relations and help eliminate and prevent any new discriminatory statutes and practices.

MAKER:                Brittany Arnold                            ZONE:  SW B

SECONDER:          LeeAnne Jimenez                        ZONE:  TM A/B

NBI#13 – Motion Failed

NBI#14 – Motion Carried

I move that the OEA publicly denounce corporal punishment in all forms for all students.

Rational: Educators should never be in the practice of harming children.

MAKER:               Nadine Gallagher                          ZONE:  OC A

SECONDER:         LeeAnn Jimenez                           ZONE:  TM A/B

NBI#15 – Motion Failed

NBI#16 – Motion Passed

I move that the OEA will no longer subject delegates to prayer of any type or kind at Delegate Assembly.

Rational: OEA is not a religious organization and not all members participate in organized religion; to many it is offensive.

MAKER:               Nadine Gallagher                             ZONE:  OC A

SECONDER:         Shai Fenwick                                   ZONE:  OC A

NBI#17 – Motion Passed

I move that the OEA utilizing existing resources educate members about the harm anti-LGBTQ+ legislation has on students and educators.

Rational: As we gain more information about the impact of trauma on our students, it becomes imperative that educators do whatever possible to stop the attack on the LGBTQ+ educators and students.

MAKER:               Nadine Gallagher                               ZONE:  OC A

SECONDER:         Lori Burris                                         ZONE:  OC D

NBI#18 – Motion Carried

I move that the OEA publicly denounce arming educators in the classroom.

Rational: Gun violence is currently the number one cause of childhood death in the US.

MAKER:               Nadine Gallagher                                ZONE:  OC A

SECONDER:         Theresa Mosier                                   ZONE:  OC A

NBI#19 – Refer to Committee

I move that the OEA, in the event that a submitted NBI be referred to committee, the mover and the seconder have input into which committee would be appropriate to implement their NBI, and to provide an opportunity for the maker and seconder to share with the chosen committee so they can share their true intent and vision.

Rational:

MAKER:                Shai Fenwick                                      ZONE:  OC A

SECONDER:          Lori Burris                                          ZONE:  OC D

NBI#20 – Refer to Committee

I move that the OEA, in partnership with NEA, will organize around the implementation of community schools in Oklahoma.

Rational:

MAKER:                Shaista Fenwick                                   ZONE:  OC A

SECONDER:          Nadine Gallagher                                  ZONE:  OC A

NBI#21 – Refer to Committee

I move that the OEA will support and lobby/educate to allow students to wear their cultural and ethnic symbols and regalia at any school functions (ie: graduation ceremonies, etc.) in the spirit reflective of the rich and plural history of Oklahoma.

Rational:

MAKER:               Shai Fenwick                                      ZONE:  OC A

SECONDER:         Crystal Watkins                                   ZONE:  OC A

NBI#22 – Refer to Committee

I move that the OEA will actively collaborate with locals to establish community forums with the goal of educating the general public on public education issues.

Rational: with the current stigma that surrounds public education, we have to repair the damage that is being done to our relationships in our communities.

MAKER:              LeeAnne Jimenez                               ZONE:  TM A/B

SECONDER:         Tiffany Roland                                   ZONE:  OC A

NBI#23 – Refer to Committee

I move that the OEA openly support the teaching of accurate historical events with a focus on multicultural and diverse view points.

Rational: As we gain more information about generational trauma, it is important to tell the accurate history of the United States from the perspective of ethnically diverse peoples and historically marginalized populations.

MAKER:               LeeAnne Jimenez                              ZONE:  TM A/B

SECONDER:         Lori Burris                                         ZONE:  OC D

NBI#24 – Refer to Committee

I move that the OEA will include pronouns representative of all gender expressions to include he/him, she/her, they/them, and opportunities for people to self-identify pronouns and/or opt out of identifying, for all OEA official documentation or registrations (ie. membership forms and name tags).

Rational: This will promote inclusivity and all identities within the Association.

MAKER:               LeeAnne Jimenez                            ZONE:  TM A/B

SECONDER:         Kelly Craig                                       ZONE:  OC D

NBI#25 – Refer to Committee

I move that the OEA support and promote “National Banned Book Week” the first week of October 2023, through OEA news articles, social media, and other existing resources.  The theme is, “#Free The Books.”

Rational: To support our public school media centers and ensure students have access to diverse materials.

MAKER:               Theresa Mosier                                 ZONE:  OC A

SECONDER:         Tiffany Roland                                   ZONE:  OC A

NBI#26 – Refer to Committee

I move that the OEA adopt the “Library Bill of Rights” written by the American Library Association.

Rational: To support our public school media centers and ensure students have access to diverse materials.

MAKER:               Theresa Mosier                                  ZONE:  OC A

SECONDER:         Kamber Clark                                    ZONE:  OC A

NBI#27 – Refer to Committee

I move that the OEA will endorse the Black Lives Matter at School Week of action during Black History Month in 2024.  Specifically, in supporting the four demands of Black Lives Matter in School Week of Action: 1) ending zero tolerance discipline policies in replacing them with restorative justice practices; 2)hiring and mentoring Black educators; 3) mandating ethnic studies be taught in Pre-K 12 schools in age-appropriate ways; 4) funding counselors, not cops.

Rational: To dismantle white supremacy in education.

MAKER:              Tiffany Roland                                  ZONE:  OC A

SECONDER:         Theresa Mosier                                 ZONE:  OC A

NBI#28 – Refer to Committee

I move that the OEA create a cadre of local vice presidents to provide quarterly collaboration and training.

Rational:

MAKER:               Tiffany Roland                                   ZONE:  OC A

SECONDER:         LeeAnne Jimenez                               ZONE:  TM A/B

NBI#29 – Refer to Committee

I move that the OEA will support and lobby/advocate for legislation to allow First American Students to wear their tribal regalia at high school graduations in public schools, graduations, ceremonies, etc.) in public schools.

Rational: This bill passed the House last week but we need to support this until it is law for our native (indigenous) students.  This is who they are and represents pride in their achievements.  As original ancestors of this land, we have already made enough concessions to be part of one country, i.e. assimilation, boarding schools, losing our traditions, history and almost language!

MAKER:               Theresa Mosier                                  ZONE:  OC A

SECONDER:         Kamber Clark                                     ZONE:  OC A

NBI#30 – Refer to Committee

I move that the OEA create a task force that will examine voter turnout, suppression, and registration with the goal of increasing active and engaged voters.

Rational: Elections have an impact on all classrooms and educators.  OEA should be a leader in local politics for the betterment of all classrooms.

MAKER:               Kamber Clark                                     ZONE:  OC A

SECONDER:         Nadine Gallagher                                ZONE:  OC A

NBI#31 – Refer to Committee

I move that the OEA will create strong working relationships with unions in other sectors to promote a pro-union culture in Oklahoma.

Rational: Given the recent anti-union legislation, solidarity is vital to our progress forward.  Building and strengthening relationships with other union, can only help us advocate for our students.

MAKER:               Jason Jenkins                                   ZONE:  OC D

SECONDER:         Sara Richardson                                ZONE:  OC D

NBI#32 – Refer to Committee

I move that the OEA will support classroom teachers right to publicly display any and all monthly celebrations/observances’ flags including PRIDE flags, in their classroom as a way to support their students and colleagues.

Rational: These flags are a symbol of support, not a political statement.

MAKER:               Brittany Arnold                                  ZONE:  SW B

SECONDER:         Kamber Clark                                     ZONE:  OC A

NBI#33 – Refer to Committee

I move that the OEA utilizing existing resources to support and showcase the work locals and members are doing in order to defeat anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.

Rational: As educators it is affirming and supportive to have the OEA demonstrate and advocate for locals and the work we do.

MAKER:              Nadine Gallagher                                ZONE:  OC A

SECONDER:        Jason Jenkins                                     ZONE:  OC D

NBI#34 – Refer to Committee

I move that that the OEA works with the Oklahoma legislators to create and to establish a state-wide “Red Flag” gun law.

Rational: Gun violence has affected everyone.  We cannot continue to be held hostage to the narrative that nothing can be done about it.  A Red Flag Law would help citizens to alert law enforcement officials to individuals that could cause harm to others and could prevent another tragedy.

MAKER:               Kelli Roberts                                     ZONE:  TM A/B

SECONDER:         Mark Webb                                        ZONE:  NW C

NBI#35 – Motion Passed

I move the OEA will assign all NBIs not able to be heard at this Delegate Assembly because of the hard stop, to the appropriate committee.

Rational: Our members that take the time to bring business to this body should be shown the respect to at least having their hard work considered, not just have them “fall to the floor.”

MAKER:               Lori Burris                                          ZONE:  OC D

SECONDER:         Kelly Craig                                           ZONE:  OC D

NBI#36 – Refer to Committee

I move that the OEA show support for our Hispanic/Latin X students and educators by promoting Hispanic Heritage Month starting September 15th-October 15th, 2023 by compiling existing resources in an electronic toolkit for our members, as well as marching in local parades like the OKC Fiestas de Las Americas (September 30,2023).

Rational: Focusing on Hispanic/Latino heritage will serve to educate students and educators on this history and culture. It also recognizes their achievements and contributions. And, it serves as an approach to enrich educators’ and students’ understanding of the diversity in the United States and the value of other cultures.

MAKER:              Ana Carrion                                      ZONE: OC A

SECONDER:        Eliamar Ness                                    ZONE: OC A

NBI#37 – Refer to Committee

I move that OEA seeks to support candidates to the state legislature with a gun safety plan that can be introduced to the local legislature.

Rational: “There have been at least 160 mass shootings across the US so far this year.” BBC News 4/24/2023.  Gun safety should be a priority as should the safety of students.  We can protect students by having a plan to control who has access to assault weapons.  So far this year there have been 22 mass shootings in the State of Oklahoma.

MAKER:               Victor Gonzalez                                 ZONE:  OC C

SECONDER:         Eliamar Ness                                      ZONE:  OC A

NBI#38 – Refer to Committee

I move that the OEA retire from using the term English Language Learners and start using the term Multilingual Learners in their existing and future documents, their existing channels, and when referring to students learning English, unless there is legislation that references to the term ELL.

Rational: The term ELL stigmatizes students by defining them by the knowledge they lack, rather than their strengths and abilities they possess.  Educators in our field are moving toward the term Multilingual Learners.  This term is seen as asset-based learning (focusing on the strengths that diverse students bring to the classroom.)  By using the term Multilingual Learners, educators will view student’s differences as assets and not deficits.  They will also ensure equity for an increasingly diverse student population as well as celebrating the identities of all students.  Words matter in influencing school experiences for students, so educators need to focus on what Multilingual students bring to the classroom rather than what they are lacking.

MAKER:              Leonor Massura                               ZONE:  OC A

SECONDER:         Victor Gonzalez                               ZONE:  OC C

NBI#39 – Refer to Committee

I move OEA adopts an application that is useful for all members with tabs for specific uses.

Rational: Minimizing waste for Green Members, while being able to allow members to be notified of important bills that include information.

MAKER:                Essence Fields                               ZONE: TM C

SECONDER:          Shawna Mott-Wright                       ZONE: TM A/B

NBI#40 – Refer to Committee

I move that the OEA will pilot closed captions for Summer Leadership Conference to understand cost in budget setting for the following year.

Rational:

MAKER:                 Nathan Velders                               ZONE: OC B

SECONDER:           LeeAnne Jimenez                            ZONE: TM A/B