The SCEA Member Advocacy Center Protecting & Defending

This site is a resource for our members who are struggling with conflict at work. If you don't find what you are looking for, contact us and we will improve our site by adding more content. Visit our main website at www.thescea.org to stay informed about all of the work The SCEA is doing. 

Guidance Paper on the Rights of School Employees.pdf

The SCEA Bill of Rights - Position Papers

The information on this site is general in nature, is not presented as legal advice, and is not intended to address every situation. If you believe your rights have been violated, you are encouraged to contact The SCEA. You should not use the information on this site as the basis for action you take related to your employment, without contacting The SCEA beforehand to make sure you clearly understand the information and its relevance to your situation.

Every school district has an employee grievance procedure. This procedure is a part of the district board policies. Click here to find your district's board policies. The grievance procedure explains what the employee must do to challenge employment actions and the deadlines.

There are times when the district mails letters to teachers by certified mail. Some teachers hesitate to pick up a certified letter or open it because they fear the news will be bad. When this happens, a deadline discussed in the letter may be missed. The sooner the teacher picks up the letter, the sooner The SCEA can intervene. Educators are encouraged to pick up certified mail promptly. 

Even the best educator can be blindsided by an unfounded allegation. Members of The SCEA are protected and covered.

Liability coverage
Under the EEL program, members receive such benefits as $1 million of liability coverage, reimbursement of attorney fees up to $35,000 for defending you in employment-related criminal matters for which you are successfully defended, and $1,000 of bail bond coverage.

Protecting your job rights
Under a program known as the Kate Frank/DuShane Unified Legal Services Program (ULSP), The SCEA and NEA share the cost of defending member job rights.  

Member Support
The Member Advocacy Center can help you respond to unfair treatment.