Bellevue Education Association

Election Results have been announced. Please visit our website for the results!
https://www.bellevueea.org/

WEA and members from our very own BEA showed up (on a Saturday) strong to Washington State Labor Council COPE and voted on endorsements for pro education and pro labor candidates, check them out here: https://www.thestand.org/2026/05/wslc-makes-2026-election-endorsements/

WEA showed up strong and wielded our power by shear numbers to sway the endorsements toward pro labor and pro education candidates!

As union members, we know we elect our working conditions. That’s why 350 trade unionists spent their Saturday debating congressional, legislative and statewide races, as well as several initiatives: to build power and determine the direction of our state. —click the link below for the story in the STAND.
https://ow.ly/pNVT50Z0Air

BEA Members:
In light of the challenges we had with the ballot, we have extended the voting deadline to May 21 at 9PM. Please check your home email for your ballot from BEA Elections via SurveyMonkey.

BEA Members: We wanted to take the opportunity to share with you the public comment that was shared with our school board tonight by our VP Regen. Please take the opportunity to read it.

"Good evening Board of directors, I am Regen Lorden, BEA Vice President and I am here tonight to talk about the district's decision to not staff K-3 at state mandated ratios in order to receive full funding.

Prioritizing lower ratios for K-3 was a clear mandate from the voters when they approved Initiative 1351 in 2014.

The state has made it clear that smaller classes for our youngest learners should be a priority.

By failing to staff at the established 17:1 ratio, BSD is leaving money on the table, while sending a message that lower class sizes are not a priority.

When we asked BSD why it was unable to meet the state ratios , we were informed that it would cost the District $700,000 to staff K-3 classes enough in order to achieve this goal.

While getting there requires an upfront investment by BSD, it is what is best for our youngest students and will bring a big return, leading to an additional $5.2 million in funding from the state.

The district has decided not to make this investment even though doing so could help fund an additional 35FTE to be hired and support our youngest learners.

Bellevue Schools finds itself in the minority of districts with higher ratios at K-3.

Over the last several years, the ratio has hovered around 17 to 1, but there was a significant jump to 19 to 1 during this school year.

I am here to advocate that next year Bellevue School District prioritize our youngest learners by investing to get the lower ratios.

Devoting $700,000 to receive millions of dollars and provide more direct support for our K-3 students is an obvious choice.

What message do we send to our community by not investing in our youngest learners and setting them up for success in their future years."

OSPI reported ratios from Bellevue:

19-20 - K-3 17.60 ratio

20-21 - K-3 17.00 ratio

21-22 - K-3 17.25 ratio

22-23 - K-3 17.00 ratio

23-24 - K-3 17.90 ratio

24-25 - K-3 17.87 ratio

25-26 - K-3 19.27 ratio

Our elections are now open! Please vote for your executive board members, as well as on some constitution and bylaw changes.
As our post stated earlier, the original ballot was pulled due to errors, and you should have received a new email from BellevueEAElections via Survey Monkey to your home emails. If you did not get that email, please each out to your reps!
*Please note one small change: our original graphic incorrectly said that elections closed at 5PM on the 19th, they actually close at 9PM.*

Election Update for BEA Members:
There was an error in the BEA Spring Election ballot that went to your personal email last night. A new ballot will be sent to your personal email soon. If you already voted, you will need to submit your new ballot for your vote to count. Stay tuned!

This Educator Appreciation Week, we celebrate the dedication, resilience, and passion of our teachers and school staff. Every day, you show up for your students, your communities, and each other—often going above and beyond what’s asked.

We see you. We support you. Thank you for all that you do!

What is your position?
Middle School Math and Health
Number of students in your caseload?
162 students over 5 classes, 3 math and 2 health
What’s on your plate this year?
filling out and signing individual CRP cards for 67 students, voting for royalty, "nagging" staff to vote and write SOQ paragraphs, entering scores for i-ready completion minutes, translating assignments, communicating with parents who aren't holding their students accountable, documenting student behaviors that are impacting the learning of other students

What is your position?
Middle School Social Studies
Number of students in your caseload?
161 students in 5 classes, class sizes range from 28 to 34
What’s on your plate this year?
Teaching & instruction; differentiation for two large (33+) high-needs classes; behavior management; planning (2 new courses); grading; student support; parent communication; IEP meetings; PDs and trainings.