The following information was shared in an HEA Newsletter prepared by HEA President Mary Kay Babcock.

Position 1
Yessica Hardin-Mercado
A former educator, Instructional Coach, and TOSA in Hillsboro School District, Yessica brings invaluable classroom experience and a deep understanding of what both students and staff need to succeed.

Position 2
Maureen Barnhart
With 29 years in HSD, including six as HEA President, Maureen has been a relentless advocate for educators and knows exactly what it takes to support students and staff.

Position 3
Nancy Thomas
A dedicated HSD School Board member since 2021, Nancy continues to push for strong public education policies and is an active leader in the Oregon School Board Association.

Position 6
Katie Rhyne
As an HSD parent and Hillsboro Public Library Board member, Katie is committed to a community-based approach to education and ensuring schools meet the needs of all students.

Why This Matters
School board decisions impact everything from class sizes to educator working conditions to the overall quality of education in our community. HEA’s endorsements reflect our commitment to electing leaders who will fight for strong schools and a bright future for public education.

As election season ramps up, our Campaign Action Team (CAT) is gearing up to rally support. We need more organizers to engage members, mobilize the community, and ensure pro-education candidates win!

Important Dates:
April 29, 2025 – Last day to register to vote for the May Special District Election.
April 30, 2025 – Washington County Elections Division mails ballots to all registered voters.
May 20, 2025 – Election Day. Washington County Elections Division will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Drop boxes will close at 8:00 p.m. We will post unofficial results after the 8:00 p.m. deadline.

• New HEA Member? Click here for a brief overview of your union
• NEA RA Volunteer Opportunities for 2025 NEA Representative Assembly in Portland
• From Your President…
• Columbia Employee Store pass valid 05/01/25 – 05/31/25 with additional 10% off
• Early enrollment OEA membership April 1st 2025 – August 31st 2025
• California Casualty Music & Arts Grant
• Policies and Forms: HSD Complaint Procedures for discrimination, hazing, bullying, intimidation, etc.
• HEA Anti-Racist Anti-Bias Teacher Coalition survey request: The goal of the Anti-Racist, Anti-Bias Teacher Coalition (ARABTC) is to work to identify and change the structures within our association that continue to perpetuate systemic racism. We believe that, in order to make that change possible, we must center the voice and experiences of our BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ members as the driving force of this work. With that in mind, we are seeking to hear from any and every member who is willing to share their story and partner with us in this mission. We look forward to getting to know our members better.

• HSD Calendar
• Licensed Staff Work Calendar
• Academic Seminar
• HEA Calendar

UPCOMING IN PERSON EVENTS:

• April 23 – Hillsboro Town Hall 5:30pm – 7:00pm at Hillsboro High School gym
• April 29 – HEA-HSD Evaluation Committee
• April 30 – WashCo UniServ Meeting (4:30 – 6:00 p.m.)
• May 1 – HEA Insurance Committee
• May 1 – HSD School Board Work Session (5:15 p.m.) Budget Committee
• May 2 – HEA Scholarship Announcement
• May 2 – First Friday at Coyote Grill 4:00pm – 6:30pm
• May 10 – Proud to be HSD
• May 12 – HEA Exec Board (4:30 – 6:00 p.m.)
• May 13 – HSD School Board Work Session (5:15 p.m.)
• May 16 – A Space for Hope and Healing event for all licensed and classified staff and families
• May 19 – HEA Insurance Committee
• May 20 – School Board Local Election
• May 21 – Middle School Schedule Committee
• May 21 – HEA Rep Council (4:30 – 6:00 p.m.)
• May 27 – Benefits Advisory Committee
• May 27 – HSD School Board Work Session (5:15 p.m.) & Regular Session (7:00 p.m.)
• May 28 – WashCo UniServ Meeting (4:30 – 6:00 p.m.
• May 30 – HEA Retirement Celebration at Wingspan

UPCOMING VIRTUAL EVENTS:

*Weekly 

• HEA Thursday Office Hour  4 pm – 5 pm
• HRA Group Support with Mae Hawkins Wednesdays from 7:30-8:30 AM or from 3:30-4:30 PM and also on the First Thursday of every month from 7:30-8:30 PM

UPCOMING WEBINARS/PODCASTS:

OEA Grow podcast

OEA Grow is a member-led podcast designed to share tools, ideas, and strategies to improve educators’ professional and personal lives. OEA Grow has rotating member hosts who interview other OEA member educators (with the occasional community partner). In this way, OEA Grow truly amplifies member educator voice. OEA Grow is a proud member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network #LaborRadioPod.

Additional professional learning information at https://oregoned.org/events

OEA Professional Development
● Conference for Bargaining and Organizing
● Ready – Set – Grow!
● OEA
● Short Form Learning

• Hillsboro Education Association Scholarship Application Packet (due Friday, March 21st 2025)
• 2024-2027 Licensed Contract
• OEA Membership Form
• Documents and Forms Main Page
• Academic Seminar Calendar
• Licensed Evaluation and PD Handbook
• 2024-25 Licensed Personal Day Guidelines
• 2024-2025 Licensed Evaluation Due Dates
• 2024-2025 Assessment and Standards Implementation Application for Extended Contract
• 2024-2025 Assessment and Standards Implementation time sheet
• Leave Request Form
• Sick Leave Bank forms and information
• HEA and Building Rep Expense Vouchers 2024-2025

• Why Join the Hillsboro Education Association?
• Top Ten Reasons to Belong to HEA
• Making the Most of Membership
• HEA / OEA / NEA Dues Chart 2022-23
• NEA Travel Program Benefits
• NEA Member Perks
• NEA Member Programs and Services Benefits
• Free magazine subscriptions for Members

We protect your rights under the contract, advocate on your behalf, assist you in resolving conflicts,
answer your questions, and give you support. In addition, we publish newsletters and informational
brochures on a variety of topics, offer training opportunities, and provide you with educational and
personal resources.

We believe our job is to do what we can to make your job easier, which means you can spend your time
and energy on what you do best – teaching. We are here to support you and we have your back. It has
never been more important to be a member of a union. Let us stand and be stronger together!

Join with us this year, and every year, to help create the schools our students deserve!