Statement from Pres. Gourley on Changes to School Masking Rules

The rules keep changing! While we welcome the feeling of hope behind the state’s lifting of its general masking requirements, a lot of exhausted school employees feel more confused. We’re simply trying to finish a stressful and – for many – traumatic year. We feel cynical about what will happen next and what information to trust. Now, issues about masking will be... Read More

Susan Miller Takes the Helm as OSEA’s Executive Director

After a nationwide search for a new executive director, the OSEA Board of Directors and interview team have chosen a candidate close to home: Susan Miller, OSEA’s director of field operations since 2016. Susan has served as executive director in an interim capacity since Rick Shidaker’s retirement in August 2021. She has a strong labor background with 20 years’... Read More

Statement from Pres. Lisa Gourley on U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on Protecting Youth Mental Health

Earlier this week, the U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory on the mental health challenges facing America’s young people, which have only worsened during the pandemic. OSEA President Lisa Gourley issued a statement in response, saying, “We applaud the surgeon general’s landmark report on youth mental health. School employees — especially classified, the... Read More

OSEA Names Susan Miller Interim Executive Director

The OSEA Board of Directors has appointed Susan Miller as interim executive director, following the retirement of Rick Shidaker. Susan has been part of the OSEA staff since 2016, when she was hired as Director of Field Operations. We are grateful for her leadership during this transition. The Board of Directors now begins the process for hiring a new executive director. In accordance... Read More

Conference 2021 Recap

OSEA’s 83rd Annual Conference wrapped up on Saturday, June 26. Catch up on all that happened!  Read More

Meet the 2021 Employee of the Year: Brian Hanson of Bend-La Pine Chapter 6!

Every year, OSEA selects one outstanding member to receive one of our union’s highest honors: the Employee of the Year Award. OSEA is proud to announce that the 2021 Employee of the Year is Brian Hanson of Bend-La Pine Chapter 6! OSEA President Lisa Gourley made the surprise announcement at Hanson’s worksite earlier this afternoon. “Brian is a shining example of... Read More

OSEA Member Paula Steinweg is Oregon’s ESP of the Year

Please join OSEA in congratulating Paula Steinweg, Oregon’s first Education Support Professional of the Year! Paula is a member of Jewell Chapter 145 who wears many hats in her work for the Jewell School District. As a bus driver, education assistant and school librarian, Paula goes above and beyond every day for her students. Paula initiated and coordinates a bi-annual... Read More

Gov. Brown Orders Schools to Operate In-Person

Today Gov. Kate Brown is announcing that she will take executive action to ensure all public schools provide universal access to in-person instruction, either fully on-site or through a hybrid model. Schools will be required to reopen by the week of March 29 for students in grades K-5 and by the week of April 19 for students in grades 6-12, with some narrow exceptions. The governor... Read More

March 1-5 is Classified School Employees Week!

Gov. Kate Brown has declared March 1-5 as Classified School Employees Week in honor of the dedication, hard work and critical importance of classified to Oregon schools. OSEA is celebrating Classified School Employees Week with the theme “Classified Are Always Essential!” You can read the governor’s proclamation and find posters, cards and more to recognize classified... Read More

ODE’s Public Health Metrics No Longer Mandatory

COVID-19 Metrics for Returning to In-Person Instruction No Longer Mandatory Oregon will no longer enforce Oregon’s public health metrics for safely returning to in-person instruction after Jan. 1. The current restrictions on reopening schools will become ‘advisory,’ and the governor has expressed a hope that schools statewide will offer in-person instruction by... Read More