I don’t know about you, but this year is flying by. It didn’t hurt that we had a touch of summer in late January and early February. That said, we still have miles to go before we rest! Here’s what’s up at North Dakota United:
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Mark your calendars! The ND United Annual Delegate Assembly will be held on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at the new Gateway to Science Center in Bismarck. Every local association is guaranteed at least one delegate. I have sent all the details to your local president, so please check with them for the details or drop me a note, and I’ll see that you receive the information you need. As I write this, I have confirmed that NEA Vice President Princess Moss will give a keynote. In addition, we have invited other interesting folks to join us. It will be great to see you there!
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As you know, these are challenging times for all public employees. Whether you are a K-12 teacher, university faculty or staff, an education support professional, or are employed in any agency providing vital public services, there is no shortage of things on the horizon that we have to keep our eyes on. The most troubling is the proposed constitutional measure to eliminate the collection of property taxes in ND. While no one loves paying property taxes, they remain the best method of ensuring that local residents get the services they need while maintaining control of their budgets. If this measure passes, political subdivisions, including school districts, cities, counties, and others will be forced to go to Bismarck every two years and beg the Legislature for what they need to provide police and fire protection, safe streets, and great public schools. ND United is leading the way to stop this measure and you can help!
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Governor Burgum’s Recruitment and Retention Task Force is in full swing, gathering the data it needs to make recommendations that will end the teacher shortage in North Dakota. We are hopeful that the recommendations will include amplifying teacher voice, improving salaries, staffing, and working conditions, developing meaningful, less onerous pathways to licensure, and relying on accurate data when making decisions about recruitment and retention. No other state has ended its teacher shortage. We can if we act boldly now.
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Finally, thank you all so much for the terrific work you do day in and day out that makes North Dakota a wonderful place to live and work. And thank you for your membership in ND United.
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