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What Is The Association?

The West Branch-Rose City Education Association represents over 162 teachers and other professionals who work for the West Branch-Rose City Schools. We are affiliated with the Michigan Education Association and the National Education Association.

Do I have To Join The Association?

No. By law, no one ever has to join the Association. However, by contract, if you choose not to join, you are obligated to become a "fee payer." This means you pay the Association a fee for the services we are obligated by law to provide to you whether or not you join the Association. These include negotiation of the contract and representing you in a grievance if you have one.

If you choose not to become a WBRCEA member, you will LOSE the following benefits:

• You do not receive NEA's $1 million Professional Liability Insurance coverage

• You cannot vote in WBRCEA, MEA, and NEA elections and you cannot vote on contract ratification.

• You are not eligible to hold office at the local, state, or national level.

• You do not have the right to attend Association meetings or training sessions.

• You do not have the right to file Board of Reference charges.

• You are not eligible for NEA's free life insurance program, DUES-TAB.

• You cannot access NEA's Member Benefit Programs:

Life, accidental death & dismemberment insurance

Supplemental Medical Insurance

Income Protection Insurance

Homeowners Insurance

NEA Valuebuilder Annuity

Money Market Account

NEA GoldCertificate CD

NEA Credit Card

NEA Money Management programs (credit plans)

ED STAR computer systems

NEA America OnLine

Magazine Service

Car rental program

• You cannot access MEA Financial Services Programs:

Group Automobile insurance

Group Homeowners Insurance

MEA Visa or MasterCard

MEA Long Distance Service Discount program

How Does The Association Work?

Members who choose to be involved in the workings of the The West Branch-Rose City Education Association advocate for the employment rights of our members and the education of our students...

What Is Tenure And How Do I Get It?

Under Michigan law, certified classroom teachers receive tenure after four years of successful teaching. Before you achieve tenure, you are called a "probationary" employee. You are deemed to have been satisfactory if the District did NOT notify you in writing that your services have been unsatisfactory.

Under the contract and law, the District must provide periodic evaluations of your performance.

If you had previously acquired tenure in another Michigan public school, you only need to serve a two year probationary period.

Once you achieve tenure, if the district seeks to terminate your employment, or discipline you with an unpaid suspension of more than three days, you will have certain rights to appeal to the State Tenure Commission.

Contrary to public belief, it is possible for public school districts to fire poor tenured teachers. In fact, in 1994-95, in every case that went before the State Tenure Commission, the dismissal of the teacher was upheld.

Regardless of tenure rights, depending on the facts of the situation, you may have protection under the contract. You should consult with your WBRCEA Uniserv Director if you experience difficulties.