BALLOTS MUST BE POSTMARKED BY TUESDAY.

Dear NESPA Colleague,

This Tuesday, August 18 is the last day to vote in the Primary. There are at least 2 key races whose outcome will impact Northshore educators and our community.

For NORTHSHORE SCHOOL BOARD, all 3 educator groups—NSEA (teachers), NESPA, and NEOPA (office staff)---recommend JULIA LACEY. She will bring a much-needed fresh perspective to our School Board. Info here http://northshoreea.blogspot.com/2009/06/nsd-school-board-primary-lacey.html and here http://www.julialacey4nsd.com/ . Please tell your family and friends, as they’d probably want to know who Northshore educators support.

For COUNTY EXECUTIVE, WEA members from throughout King County interviewed the candidates, and WEA is recommending both Dow Constantine http://dowconstantine.org/index.php and Larry Phillips http://larryphillips.com/welcome/. You can get important info on this race---including the other candidates at http://www.ourvoicewashingtonea.org/recommendations/kingcoexec.php . This site explains what educators have to gain and lose in this race.

Ballots must be postmarked by Tuesday.

It’s a democracy. Be sure your voice and vote count. Elections matter.

Kraig Peck

Benefits

Open enrollment started yesterday, August 10, and continues through September 10. Benefit changes will be effective on October 1. If you are interested in enrolling in the Section 125 plan, a representative from American Fidelity will be available in the Administration Center from 9-3 during open enrollment dates.

We are encouraged to attend the Benefit Q&A on September 1 from 2:30-5:30 at the Administration Center, Ricketts Board Room. There will be someone there to answer all your questions and assist with filling out forms.

2009-2010 NESPA board

Your 2009-2010 NESPA board is already hard at work planning for a great new school year. They are:

Co-Presidents: Deb Murphy (nurse, Woodin)
Marge Mitchell (CSS, Bothell)
Vice President: Bharati Khandekar (special ed para, Bothell)
Treasurer: Suzanne Ducotey (special ed para, Woodmoor)
Secretary: Karen Kohler (STS, Hollywood Hill)
Nurse Rep: Rosemarie Dunlop (Frank Love)
Special Ed Rep: Judy Ellis (SAS)
Special Ed Rep: Donna Smith, (NJH)
Special Ed Rep: Lucy Antonio (Kokanee)
Special Ed Rep: Liz Gordon (Woodmoor)
School Tech Rep: Karen Kohler (STS, Hollywood Hill)
Title/LAP Rep: Joanne Allen (LAP, CPJH)
Ell Rep Elem: Janice Seino (ELL tutor, Lockwood)
ELL Rep Secon: Suzanne Fujinari (ELL tutor, NJH)
Jeani Schwenk (Interpreter, WM)

Elect your School Board!

THE SCHOOL BOARD PRIMARY ELECTION IS HAPPENING NOW THROUGH AUGUST 18! ELECT YOUR SCHOOL BOARD!

We've all received a ballot in the mail for Northshore's School Board elections. The School Board governs the District, makes budget decisions, and is the group that decides what the District will agree to when we negotiate to improve the quality of Northshore's education and to improve our work lives.

We have until Tuesday, August 18 to return our ballot.

NESPA, along with NSEA and NEOPA, is recommending support for JULIA LACEY, who is running against 3 others. NESPA leaders, along with NSEA and NEOPA leaders, interviewed candidates, reviewed questionnaires, and reviewed the incumbent's record. They worked hard to determine who would best serve Northshore and decided that JULIA LACEY is the best candidate for Position #1. She is the only candidate we are recommending in the Primary.

Below is a statement from Julia and a link to her website: http://www.julialacey4nsd.com/. Please ask your family and friends to vote for Julia Lacey!

NSEA, NESPA, NEOPA School Board Candidate Questionnaires
Click on the name of the candidate below to see how they responded to our questionnaire:

District 1
Sue Buske
Arthur Hu
Julia Lacey - recommended by NSEA, NESPA, NEOPA)
Jeff Warrick

District 2
Todd Banks
Cathy Swanson

Click here to see all candidate responses to the NSEA/NESPA/NEOPA questionnaire. Note: Sandy Hayes is running unopposed for District No. 4. NSEA/NESPA/NEOPA leaders did not ask Ms. Hayes to complete a questionnaire, nor was she interviewed. NSEA/NESPA/NEOPA will meet with Ms. Hayes this fall.

Message from School Board Candidate, Julia Lacey -

Northshore Teachers, Staff, and Nurses:

My name is Julia Lacey. I am emailing to tell you that I am running for a director position on the Northshore School Board and to ask for your support. I came to my decision to run because of my experience as a teacher and deep commitment to this community. I know I have a lot to contribute and would be a strong school board member.

I am very appreciative of the endorsements that I have already received from the employee professional associations: NSEA, NEOPA and NESPA and hope to continue fostering a strong, open relationship with them once elected.

How to support my campaign:

Vote for me, twice! Once you receive your primary ballot, those of you that live in the district, please vote for me. Historically, few people vote in primaries so every vote is very important. Assuming I win the primary, I'll need you to do it again for the November General Election.

Spread the word. Tell everyone you know about the Northshore School Board election, the August primary, and ask them to vote for me. Forward this email to anyone you know that lives in Northshore and who values education.

Get Involved. There will be opportunities to help with phone-calling, door-belling, and putting up signs. Any support is always appreciated.

Please go to my website to read more about why I am running, my experience, and what I would bring to the board at www.julialacey4nsd.com.

Thank you for your support,
Julia Lacey
Candidate for Northshore School Board, District #1