Oak Hills Education Association

Brian Malavich – President
Heather Packer – Vice-President
Jeanna Linenkugel – Secretary
Gregory Rolfes – Treasurer
Susan Dochterman – Membership Chair

August 1, 2025

Dear OHEA Member,

I hope you had a relaxing and enjoyable summer! I am Brian Malavich, your OHEA President, and I want to extend my thanks for your continued support of our profession and union. In times when the strength of our union relies on our collective numbers, your membership plays a vital role in ensuring our voices are heard and our impact is felt.

Being an OHEA member is one of the most significant ways you can show support for both your students and your colleagues. As we enter the final year of our current 3-year Collective Bargaining Agreement, I want to highlight the success we’ve seen: Oak Hills is ranked among the top five school districts in the area in terms of pay. My goal is to continue this trend and set up Oak Hills teachers for long-term success. You can view the current contract and salary scale on the OHEA website (http://oakhillsea.ohea.us) for your reference. Your membership empowers us to advocate for fair compensation and job security, and it is essential for giving us a strong voice during upcoming negotiations. More information on this process will be shared in the near future.

As educators, the landscape in which we operate today is very different from when many of us first entered the profession. Many aspects of our work are influenced by forces outside our control, particularly politics. That’s why OHEA’s focus remains on the areas where we can make an impact: securing fair contract language, financial stability, and retirement benefits for our members. These areas are at the core of our mission to ensure the long-term well-being of our members.

Unfortunately, we are continuing to receive misleading mailings from the Freedom Foundation, an organization that disguises itself to trick teachers into leaving their union. They are spending millions with the aim of weakening teachers’ collective voice and diminishing the benefits and pay we’ve worked so hard to secure. I strongly encourage you to learn more about this group and reach out to me or your building rep with any questions about OHEA. We are here to provide you with the truth, and OHEA stands firmly in support of our teachers and their role in shaping the future of education.

As we prepare for the challenges ahead, it is critical that we maintain a strong, united membership. If you know a colleague who is not yet a member, I encourage you to invite them to join us in strengthening our collective voice. If you are a continuing member, I want to express my gratitude—thank you for your continued support. The benefits of being part of OHEA far exceed the cost of membership, and together, we can continue to advocate for what’s best for our profession and our students.

If you were a member last year, you are automatically enrolled as an OHEA member for the 2025–2026 school year. However, if you choose to withdraw your membership, please submit a signed, written letter (not an email) to Susan Dochterman at Oak Hills High School by Friday, August 29, 2025. Be sure to include your specific building in the letter. For any questions or assistance, please reach out to your building rep.

In addition, I’d like to inform you that elections for Winter and Spring Rep Assemblies will take place on October 1, 2, and 3. Our officer and building rep elections will be held on April 22, 23, and 24. Please don’t hesitate to contact your building reps with any questions about the election process.

Sincerely,

Brian Malavich

OHEA President