HWEA Membership Lunch

Who are HWEA's chief negotiators?

• Justin Denner & Kirstin Widell

• Megan Merkel & Libby Schwade

• Jenny Butler &

  Justin Denner

• Jess Hillers & Michelle Midthus

Answer explanation

HWEA Executive Board:

President: Libby Schwade

Vice president: Megan Merkel

Secretary: Jess Hillers

Treasurer: Kirstin Widell

Members’ Rights: Michelle Midthus

Co-Chief Negotiators:

Jenny Butler & Justin Denner

Which of the following does HWEA NOT do for teachers?

• Provide resources and support

• Advocate and represent

• Negotiate wages and handbook details

• Directly manage and supervise teachers

Answer explanation

HWEA:

-has a representative from the executive board on each district committee

-meets regularly with admin to maintain a positive working relationship, to answer questions, to share concerns

-negotiates the base wage and salary schedule

-oversees the Labor Management committee

-provides immediate representation should a member need it

Iowa changed the bargaining laws 8 years ago.

Which of the follow topics is MANDATED for bargaining?

• evaluation

• base wages

• leave

• insurance

Answer explanation

Mandated (required by law):

-Base wages

Permissive (may negotiate):

-Overtime & Incentive Pay

• -Hours, Work Schedules, Breaks, Lunch

• -Leave

• -Grievance & Due Process

• -Seniority

• -Any other topic not prohibited

Prohibited (to negotiate in contract, but in handbook & discussed at Labor Management):

• Retirement

• Health insurance

• Supplemental Pay

• Transfers

• Evaluations

• Staff reductions

Which of the following is NOT another perk of joining HWEA?

• discounts on products, travel, and more

• Loan forgiveness help

• Free recert. classes

• Free puppies

Answer explanation

NEA Member Benefits

-Financial Planning (loans, mortgages, retirement, credit card)

-Insurance ($1,000 life insurance policy with membership)

-Discounts on Travel and Shopping

-Mental Health Support

-Student Debt Navigator

ISEA

-UniServ consulting

-Workshops, Training,

-Academy courses (free and reduced cost)

True or False: When I join HWEA, I also become a member of ISEA and NEA.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Members get all 3 levels!

HWEA--Local

ISEA--State

NEA--National

HWEA awards a $500 scholarship to a senior pursuing a degree in education. Who was the 2025 recipient?

• Laney Peter

• Brooke Schwade

• Caiden Simiele

• Aidan Skoda

Answer explanation

Laney Peter did her practicum hours in during her senior year in HWEA member Pam Jackson's 5th grade classroom.

Laney is pursuing a degree in elementary education at UNI this fall.

If I have a question about how to join HWEA or a concern that I think HWEA could help with, who do I call?

• Ghostbusters

• Your mom

• An executive board member

• Superman

Answer explanation

President: Libby Schwade

Vice president & Membership Chair: Megan Merkel

Secretary: Jess Hillers

Treasurer: Kirstin Widell

Members’ Rights: Michelle Midthus

Co-Chief Negotiators:

Jenny Butler & Justin Denner

If a potential member is in their first year teaching at a public school, what special deal could they take advantage of?

• $100 cash rebate

• Free puppies

• A year supply of chocolate

• 50% discount on ISEA dues

Answer explanation

Licensed employees in their first year at a public school can earn the following discounts if they join their first year:

-50% off ISEA dues their first year

-25% off ISEA dues their second year

For those who choose to pay monthly, which month do dues payments begin?

• August

• September

• October

• November

Answer explanation

Monthly dues payments begin in October and end in July.

Members can also pay in one lump sum by credit card or check (if you previously have).

This spring, HWEA worked alongside the district to maintain and revise a significant part of teacher compensation. What part was it?

• The supplemental pay

• The salary schedule

• The base wage

• The substitute pay

Answer explanation

The updated salary schedule reflects the state-required minimums and distributes teacher salary across experience and education.

At a time when districts are looking at eliminating the salary schedule, HWEA worked with HWCSD to uphold ours. AND it's a permissive bargaining item!