Action Report of the 2023 TSTA House of Delegates Adopted New Business Items
NBI #2: I MOVE that the TSTA House of Delegates recommends to the TSTA Board of Directors that the TSTA HoD be held in Austin during the Texas legislative sessions. Also, beginning in 2025, establish a lobby day at the Capitol on the Thursday prior to the TSTA HoD.
The TSTA House of Delegates will take place in central Texas 2025, 2026, and 2027. During 2025 and 2027, the HoD will include a lobby day at the Capitol.
NBI #3: I MOVE that TSTA create a document detailing the relationship and responsibilities of the TSTA staffer with the locals and regions.
TSTA is in the process of researching related information and getting feedback from governance and staff in order to create trainings and accompanying documents that outline and support the collaborative partnership between locals, regions, and TSTA staff. This conversation is also scheduled to be a part of upcoming summer trainings.
NBI #4: I MOVE that TSTA to offer a direct deposit option for dues distribution for locals and regions that choose to opt into it.
Project completed with enrollment invitations sent out to all Locals and Regions.
NBI #5: I MOVE that TSTA will provide statements for dues disbursement payments to locals where TSTA collects local dues and for dues disbursement payments to regions where TSTA collects dues for the region. The statement will include the dues amount and collection period for the current payment, for the membership year to date, and an estimate for the remainder of the membership year; and include the dues amount per membership and the number of members in the local/region.
This project is fully implemented with dues statements being sent each time dues are disbursed. Membership number reports are sent in a separate report to Locals and Regions to coincide with the timing of the dues disbursement
NBI #6: I MOVE that TSTA survey its members to review our website and social media for its strengths and weaknesses. Once the results are compiled a report should be made to the Board of Directors for their consideration to see if further action is needed.
A survey regarding TSTA’s website, social media, and overall external branding was conducted. The findings were presented to the TSTA Board at the February Board Meeting and the conversation will be continued at upcoming board trainings.
NBI #7: I MOVE that TSTA provide Dependent Care for the TSTA State House of Delegates in the fashion of NEA’s current dependent care reimbursement plan. This would provide members a $72/day reimbursement while they are at the TSTA House of Delegates.
This item was referred to the committee. The committee appointed by President Molina to review this matter has called for a TSTA staff workgroup to review potential options for upcoming state conventions which include researching the possibility of contracting onsite childcare such as currently provided by NEA to delegates. The workgroup is also tasked to seek guidance and clarification from NEA regarding their current dependent care reimbursement plans to inform options.
NBI #8: I MOVE that TSTA and its local affiliates will identify racial justice advocates allies, and community activists, to help build powerful education communities and initiate our work together to eradicate institutional racism, subtle racism, & classism in our public school system by and with the establishment of a task force that identifies the criteria for all-inclusive safe, just and equitable schools.
TSTA is in the process of creating strategic alignment throughout all racial and social justice initiatives which includes the work of current and planned TSTA task forces, leadership cadres and staff workgroups. This comprehensive approach includes focusing state and local planning on organizing through a racial and social justice lens. TSTA works closely with NEA on this work, who has provided materials and guidance on all-inclusive safe, just, and equitable schools. Task force work will include reviewing these resources.
NBI #9 I MOVE that TSTA create a media campaign using existing resources to house information on the TSTA website, publish an article in the Advocate, and publish to TSTA social media twice per month per topic for 18 months on these issues: 1) commitment to fair and accessible voting; 2) the dangers of anti-trans legislation; 3) information of decolonizing the curriculum for educators seeking to be anti-racist; 4) access to healthcare for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) and rural students and educators; 5) the right to teach the truth about history; and 6) developing transformative social-emotional learning through a lens of equity.
Page (https://tsta.org/news_center/racial-and-social-justice-issues/) created on TSTA website September 5, 2023. Linked on https://tsta.org/social-media/; https://tsta.org/legislative-action/; https://tsta.org/issues_and_action/top-education-issues/ An article published in Spring 24 Advocate and social media posts in 2024 included March 4, Feb 28, Feb 23, Feb 22, Feb. 19, Feb. 18, Feb. 17, Feb. 16, Feb. 5, Feb. 3, Jan 14, Jan. 9, and Jan. 4; and in 2023 on Dec. 13, Dec. 7, Dec. 4, Dec. 1, Nov. 30, Nov. 26, Nov. 24, Nov. 23, Nov. 20, Nov. 11, Nov. 7, Nov. 3, Nov. 1, Oct. 31, Oct. 27, Oct. 23, Oct. 22, Oct. 12, Oct. 10, Oct. 5, Oct. 4, Oct. 2, Oct. 1, Aug. 18, Aug. 7; July 11; June 17, June 14, June 6, June 5, June 4, June 2, June 1, May 31, and May 1
NBI #10: I MOVE that TSTA push for legislative reform in Texas Education Code 28.004 to ensure an automatically provided instruction in the secondary level with the option to “opt-out” rather than an “opt-in” process for parents while also pushing for curriculum reform in the Health Education TEKS for sex education that will provide an “abstinence-plus” and universal instruction that not only teaches students that abstinence is the safest choice, but also provides medically accurate information about topics such as contraception, prevention of sexually transmitted infections, and healthy relationships.
While using existing resources and asking NEA for support, TSTA will follow through with the integrity of this NBI by:
- Having the state resolutions committee, if passed, ensure that state resolutions incorporate resolutions of these specific concepts to make sure that the integrity of this NBI is followed through.
- Having the TSTA legislative committee review the legislative agenda to ensure that these elements are incorporated into the legislative agenda for the next HOD.
- Preparing for a lobbying campaign for the 2025 Legislative Session. This will include a legislative briefing of no more than one page informing membership of these concepts.
- Publishing one Advocate article that informs members on the current education code and state curriculum in regard to sex education.
- Creating a Social media campaign for TSTA to collect member stories and use those to gain public favor.
- Facilitating a Virtual Winter session or portion of a session that will include information on how members can lobby their school boards on these items.
The TSTA state Resolutions Committee will review this NBI as they progress through their charges and the NBI was reviewed by the Legislative Committee. An article published in Winter 23 Advocate and a social media campaign is planned in advance of 2025 Legislature. This issue was covered as an issue for organize and lobby school boards during the virtual winter training. It will continue to be referenced and expanded upon in future trainings.
NBI #13: I MOVE that TSTA push for legislative reform that: addresses period poverty, adopts a state mandate, and provides funding that directs all public school entities to provide feminine hygiene products in all campuses for menstruating students.
While using existing resources and asking NEA for support, TSTA will follow through with the integrity of this NBI by:
- Having the TSTA legislative committee review the legislative agenda to ensure that these elements are incorporated into the legislative agenda for the next HOD.
- Preparing for a lobbying campaign for the 2025 Legislative Session. This will include a legislative briefing of no more than one-page informing membership of these concepts.
- Publishing one Advocate article that informs members on the current issue in period poverty and how members can lobby their school boards on these items.
- Creating a Social media campaign for TSTA to collect member stories and use those to gain public favor.
The Legislative Committee reviewed this information. An article was published in Summer 23 Advocate along with social media posts on May 25, May 24, May 23, May 22, and May 21. A story collection campaign is planned in advance of 2025 Legislature.
NBI #14: I MOVE that TSTA considers the mileage for all PT Field Organizers to the General Service Administration (GSA) rate at the time of travel.
This was completed.
NBI #15: I MOVE that TSTA will include an option to declare preferred pronouns on registrations for the House of Delegates and other events beginning September 1, 2023; and TSTA will include the preferred pronouns beneath the delegate/participant name when badges are printed.
This has been completed.
NBI #16: I MOVE that TSTA provide a report of all TSTA funds invested in the fossil fuel and private prison industries; and write a letter to any fund board/manager encouraging divestment from these industries as soon as feasible without financial harm to membership.
Investment survey completed. Findings being shared with the TSTA Board, discussed with the Pension Committee at their next scheduled meeting and was discussed with the Permanent Fund Board of Trustees at their recent meeting.
NBI #17: I MOVE that TSTA, with Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) committee support, will create a tool kit to support and effectively represent transgender and transitioning members; and TSTA will publish an article about the resource created in the Advocate.
TSTA has reached out to NEA for resources that will guide the work of the SOGI committee to create this toolkit. The committee will be working with these resources in future meetings; plans are in place to publish and article in the Advocate once completed.
NBI #18: I MOVE that TSTA waive the membership fees for TSTA Aspiring Educators and have TSTA cover the NEA portion of the membership dues for the first 1,000 AE members.
This was completed.
NBI #19: I MOVE that TSTA develop a system for members to voluntarily submit changes in their membership or employment status, including experiences that led to the change in status. Members will anonymously self-report and the data will be disaggregated by identity characteristics including but not limited to: race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability, years of experience, etc. Data will be made accessible to inform all members on the retention and attrition trends in locals and councils across the state.
TSTA is working with NEA to develop a system; membership information resides in NEA’s proprietary databases and is accessed by a TSTA staff member who is trained and certified by NEA as a State Administrator.
NBI #20: I MOVE that TSTA create a committee appointed by the TSTA President to review and explore the duties of region treasurer, president, and vice president including but not limited to or necessitating TSTA/NEA trainings on their roles regarding region budgets and fiduciary responsibilities. The committee would report to the TSTA Board for consideration of the committee’s findings.
TSTA has region officer roles and region board training that is promoted and provided to regions upon request. TSTA also does this for local boards. Building on this, the TSTA President worked with a planning committee in preparation of Organizing Institute of 2023 to map out and create a training for local boards which centered on the different officer roles, their duties and responsibilities as individual officers along with their collective role as a board. This model is being refined for region boards in anticipation of touchpoint opportunities during future TSTA board and region events.
NBI #21: I MOVE that TSTA will provide definitions for institutionalized discrimination: Which include that the effects are evident in the institutional data exhibiting disproportionate outcome for members representative of historically marginalized groups. Data exhibiting disproportionate outcomes for members representative of historically marginalized groups. Develop formidable advocacy procedures to prevent and disrupt discriminatory and retaliatory employment practices. Provide regular and effective advocacy training.
The TSTA Organizing Center for Legal and Member Advocacy (OCLSMA) has conducted extensive research concluding the term “institutionalized discrimination” is not clearly codified in Texas statutes and does not appear to be regularly defined in Texas regulations or case law. Upon reviewing external resources and policy information that is currently available, other similar definitions and terms appear to be related to this definition. The OCLSMA has contacted the NEA Legal Department for additional information and guidance with plans to incorporate into advocacy training and procedures.