SDEA Internal Elections

Fall 2024 SDEA Elections:
Special Election for SDEA Board & CTA State Council

SDEA is conducting a special Fall election for elected SDEA Board of Directors and State Council seats.

24-25 San Diego Service Center Council (Declaration of Candidacy Form) 

The SDEA Election committee is currently accepting Declaration of Candidacy forms for SDSCC Delegate. f you are interested in this elected position, this form must be completed and returned to the SDEA Election Committee no later than 5:00 p.m., Monday, May 6, 2024. This is a 1-year term, subject to re-election yearly by acclamation at the SDEA May Representative Council.

Role and Function of the CTA Service Center Council (SCC) (30 seats available this year):

  1. Meet prior to each meeting of the CTA State Council of Education (four times a year), and at such other times as CTA may desire, consistent with the policies of the Association. It is the responsibility of chapter presidents or their designee, and State Council representatives to attend these general meetings prior to each State Council.
  2. Establish statewide channels of communication, respond to requests from State Council committees, and offer information and recommendations to State Council and CTA Board of Directors following studies and discussions of professional issues.
  3. Coordinate membership participation in Association activities for the decentralized delivery of chapter and member services.
  4. Develop Service Center regional objectives and provide a foundation for regional political activities and legislative contact programs.
  5. Advise Service Center staff about program needs and evaluate programs and services.

SDEA Spring 2024 Elections 

SDEA is a member-run democratic organization which means YOU have the opportunity to be involved and run for a leadership position! Spring election nominations are now open for a variety of roles:

Together We Are Stronger!         

SDEA General Elections

Each year, SDEA members have the opportunity to select representatives from among their colleagues to serve in a variety of elected positions. SDEA elections are held in accordance with SDEA‘s and CTA’s constitution, bylaws, standing rules, and procedures. 

Board of Director Duties and Responsibilities

  1. Coordinate the activities of the Association;
  2. Act for the Representative Council when school is not in session;
  3. Direct the bargaining activities of the Association, subject to policies established by the Representative Council;
  4. Approve by majority vote appointment and by two-thirds (2/3) vote removal of bargaining team members;
  5. Recommend a budget for the Association to the Representative Council no later than the last regular meeting of the Council for the current year;
  6. Approve by majority vote all appointment and removal of committee members, including chairpersons;
  7. Adopt the local Standing Rules for the Association;
  8. Adopt grievance procedure;
  9. Oversee the hiring, evaluation, and termination of staff in accordance with negotiated contracts and standing rules;
  10. Direct the negotiations between the Association and staff;
  11. Ratify the negotiated Agreement between the Association and staff;

Exercise all the business and organizational powers and duties for the Association as prescribed by law and these bylaws, subject to any restrictions that may be imposed by the Representative Council.

The Board of Directors shall be composed of the elected officers, elected at large and twelve (12) Geographic Directors. The twelve Geographic Directors shall be elected by and from the Active membership in their geographic districts. Among the twelve elected directors, four shall be designated as elementary, four shall be designated as secondary and four shall be designated at large seats and open to any qualified Active member within the Board of Directors election district. Directors shall be elected for a term of two (2) years. All members of the Board of Directors shall be and remain currently paid-up local, state, and national (Active) members as a condition for nomination to and service in this position. A vacancy shall be deemed to exist in the case of death, resignation, or inability to serve as a Geographic Director of the Association. In the event a vacancy occurs a special election shall be held to elect successors to fill the unexpired terms. In the event of a transfer out of the geographic area and/or change of level from which they were elected, that member would serve the remainder of that year. The seat would then be filled by the next general or special election.  The Board of Directors shall meet prior to each regular meeting of the Representative Council and at such other times as the President may deem necessary, or upon written petition of a majority of the members of the Board of Directors.  Any member of the Board of Directors with more than three (3) unexcused absences or more than five (5) excused absences in a six-month period can be recommended for removal from the Board. Removal can only be affected by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Board.

State Council Duties and Responsibilities:

State council delegates serve a 3-year term, and regularly attend all four (4) meetings of the State Council of Education per year, participate actively in the work of committees to which they are assigned, become informed on professional and educational matters in the chapter(s) represented and be prepared to make appropriate presentation of recommendations originating in the chapter(s).  Delegates report regularly to their chapter(s) regarding the deliberations and actions of the State Council of Education and attend and participate in the meetings and activities of the Service Center Council which their chapter is a part. Delegates shall be and remain currently paid-up local, state, and national (Active) members as a condition for nomination to and service in this position

State Council Policy-Making Committees are:

  1. Adult, Alternative and Career Technical Education Committee
  2. Assessment and Testing Committee
  3. Civil Rights in Education Committee
  4. Communications Committee
  5. Credentials and Professional Development Committee
  6. Curriculum and Instruction Committee
  7. Early Childhood Education Committee
  8. Financing Public Education Committee
  9. Language Acquisition and Development Committee
  10. Negotiations Committee
  11. Political Involvement Committee
  12. Professional Rights and Responsibilities Committee
  13. Retirement Committee
  14. School Safety/School Management Committee
  15. Special Education Committee
  16. State Legislation Committee
  17. Student Support Services Committee
  18. Teacher Evaluation and Academic Freedom Committee

NEA-RA Delegate Duties and Responsibilities: 

NEA-RA local delegates serve a two-year term, and attend a (1) time multi-day conference each year and will require travel to The World’s Largest Democratic Deliberative Assembly! 25 elected delegates are being directly funded, at least partially, by membership dues. Delegates shall be and remain currently paid-up local, state, and national (Active) members as a condition for nomination to and service in this position.  Responsibilities to carry out the NEA-RA specified duties are:

  1. Each delegate will be expected to register as an official delegate to the Representative Assembly (RA) with both the California delegation and NEA.
  2. Each delegate will be expected to attend all caucuses of the California delegation. Delegates must be registered with the California delegation to participate in the caucus.
  3. Each delegate shall attend all business meetings of the RA.
  4. Each delegate is strongly encouraged to attend NEA budget committee hearings, resolutions committee hearings, bylaw committee hearings, speeches by prominent national figures, etc.
  5. Each delegate should take into consideration CTA State Council and caucus policy when voting.
  6. Each delegate is encouraged to participate fully in all activities of the California delegation.

NEA’s Annual Meeting takes place during the final week of June and/or the first week of July. Various committees, constituencies, caucuses, leadership groups, and delegates from state and local affiliates gather to set policy and chart the direction of NEA business.

The Representative Assembly (RA) takes place during the final four days of the Annual Meeting. It is the primary legislative and policymaking body of the Association and derives its powers from, and is responsible to, the membership. The Representative Assembly adopts the strategic plan and budget, resolutions, the Legislative Program, and other policies of the Association. Delegates vote by secret ballot on proposed amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws. Those delegates with full voting rights elect the executive officers, Executive Committee members, and at-large members of the NEA Board of Directors, as appropriate.

The RA consists of nearly 7,000 delegates representing state and local affiliates, student members, retired members, and other segments of the united education profession. Further information on the RA is contained in Article III of the Constitution and in Bylaw 3. The RA is the largest democratic deliberative assembly in the world and adheres to Roberts Rules of Order.

Service Center Council (SCC) and Central Labor Council (CLC)

Role and Function of the San Diego Central Labor Council (CLC):

The San Diego Labor Council Delegates serve as the connection between San Diego unions, and as labor’s grassroots coordinators of political and community activities.  Delegates uphold a strong tradition of fighting for equality, justice, and better conditions for working people in our communities. Together with the Labor Council Executive Board, organizing, and political staff, delegates assist with the coordination of community outreach efforts, political campaigns, and policy and legislative initiatives.  Delegates are required to attend 11 monthly meetings and may also serve on formal and informal committees of the Council.

Role and Function of the CTA Service Center Council (SCC):

Meet prior to each meeting of the CTA State Council of Education (four times a year), and at such other times as CTA may desire, consistent with the policies of the Association. It is the responsibility of chapter presidents or their designee, and State Council representatives to attend these general meetings prior to each State Council.

  1. Establish statewide channels of communication, respond to requests from State Council committees, and offer information and recommendations to State Council and CTA Board of Directors following studies and discussions of professional issues.
  2. Coordinate membership participation in Association activities for the decentralized delivery of chapter and member services.
  3. Develop Service Center regional objectives and provide a foundation for regional political activities and legislative contact programs.
  4. Advise Service Center staff about program needs and evaluate programs and services.

AR/CR/Alternate Site Elections

Association Representatives, Council Representatives, and Alternates are crucial in building a strong SDEA. Each year, sites hold elections for these positions. The election materials for the 2024-25 school year are now available for download:

Contact SDEA Elections Committee

Election Committee Co- Chairs: Kristin Brown (Silver Gate Elementary) Peter Oskin (Pt. Loma High)

Election members: Trace Cimins (Hancock Elementary), Mickey Sullivan (Longfellow K-8)  

Please send all elections-related inquiries to Election Committee via email:  sdeaelections@sdea.net